i?'     THE    \ 


IfB  E  ¥.  *S  PJ  D)  IB  E  W   Ml  A  M  S  IHl  J  IP. 


THIRTEEN  YEARS'  EXPERIENCE 


IN  THE 


ITINERANCY. 


BY 

KEY.    ANDREW    M  A  N  S  H  I  P, 

MEMBER  OF  THE  PHILADELPHIA  ANNUAL  CONFERENCE. 


** Preach  the  word;  be  instant  in  season,  out  of  season;  reprove, 
rebuke,  exhort,  •with  all  long-sufiFering  and  doctrine." — 2  Timothy  iv.  2. 

"  I  am  made  all  things  to  all  men,  that  I  might  by  all  means  saye 
gome." — 1  Corinthians  ix.  22. 


SEVENTH   EDITION. 


FHILADGLPHTA: 

HIGGINS    k    PERZINPINE, 

No.  40  I'^ORTH  7CU:iTII  ST-^EE^)'. 

1856. 


MS/7 


^•^-f7  37<?-' 


Entered  according  to  the  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1855,  hj 

ANDREW  MANSHIP, 

in  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States  in  and  for  the  Eastern 
District  of  Pennsylvania. 

STEREOTYPED  BY  E.  B.'  MEARSL  Printed  by  T.  K.  &  p.  G.  Collins 


TO 

MY  FATHERS  AND  BRETHREN 

OF 

THE   PHILADELPHIA   ANNUAL   CONFERENCE, 

TO 

THE  ME5IBERS  OF  THE  METHODIST  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH 

IN  MY  SEVERAL  FIELDS  OF  LABOUR, 

AND  TO  ALL 

"  AMONG  WHOJI  I  HAVE  GONE  PREACHING  THE  KINGDOM  Of  GOD" 

DURING  THE  THIRTEEN  YEARS  OP  MY 

ITINERANT  MINISTRY, 

THE  FOLLOWING  WORK  IS  RESPECTFULLY  AND  AFFECTIONATELY 
DEDICATED, 

BY  THE  AUTHOR. 


PREFACE 


rpHE  following  work  originated  and  assumed  its  pre- 
sent form  under  peculiar  circumstances.  Hedding 
Church,  Philadelphia,  had  been  completed  and  dedicated 
to  Almighty  God.  On  the  day  of  dedication,  an  amount 
had  been  subscribed  sufficient,  or  nearly  so,  to  meet  all 
the  remaining  pecuniary  liabilities  of  the  trustees  on  the 
house,  and  everything  looked  cheering.  But  a  sad  and 
unlooked  for  change  had  taken  place.  Many  of  these 
subscriptions,  and  some  of  an  earlier  date,  amounting  in 
all  to  some  four  thousand  five  hundred  dollars,  had 
become  unavailable ;  for  though  made  in  good  faith,  the 
subscribers,  being  persons  in  humble  circumstances,  and 
1  (i) 


11  PREFACE. 

depending  on  the  results  of  their  business  and  daily  toils 
to  meet  their  obligations,  had  been,  through  the  unhappy 
embarrassments  which  had  arisen  in  the  financial  and 
business  affairs  of  the  city,  rendered  unable  to  pay  them. 
What  was  now  to  be  done?  How  was  so  large  an 
amount  of  money  to  be  raised  ?  While  Brother  Man- 
ship  was  anxiously  deliberating  on  this  question,  and 
devising  measures  to  meet  the  emergency,  the  thought 
suddenly  arose  in  his  fertile  mind  to  draw  up  and  publish 
an  account  of  the  Plank  Church,  which  had  excited  so 
much  attention  in  Philadelphia  and  elsewhere,  and  had 
been  the  means,  under  God,  of  doing  so  much  good,  and 
to  apply  the  avails,  or  a  large  portion  of  them,  to  the 
object  now  engrossing  his  attention.  He  had  already 
adopted  various  unusual  expedients  to  accomplish  this 
desirable  object,  and  the  church  had  realized  from  them 
a  considerable  sum.  Now  the  thought  was  presented  to 
him  to  turn  author,  and  try  to  make  something  for  the 
church  in  this  way.  What  should  he  do?  He  felt 
embarrassed.  He  had  given  but  little  attention  to 
literary  labour,  and  had  not  written  much  besides  letters  '*■ 
to  friends  and  outlines  for  the  pulpit.    He  did  not,  how- 


PREFACE.  m 

ever,  long  hesitate — for  *'to  do  and  to  dare"  is  charac- 
teristic of  this  brother,  when  good  is  to  be  accomplished. 
Accordingly  he  proceeded  to  collect  materials  and  to 
prepare  for  his  work.  As  he  progressed,  however,  the 
original  conception  gradually  enlarged  itself,  taking  a 
wider  and  yet  wider  range,  until  at  length  "  The  History 
of  the  Plank  Church"  rose  to  the  more  dignified  dimen- 
sions of  "  Thirteen  Years'  Experience  in  the  Itinerancy :" 
and  in  this  form  it  has  been  stereotyped,  and  made  into 
a  book. 

This  book  I  have  read  in  manuscript,  every  word  of 
it.  It  is  characteristic  of  its  author :  sprightly,  earnest, 
energetic;  full  of  allusions,  incidents,  anecdotes,  and 
biographical  sketches ;  all  tending  to  lead  the  sinner  to 
Christ  and  to  Heaven.  It  is,  indeed,  a  fair  transcript 
of  the  author's  mind,  of  his  modes  of  thinking,  and  of 
expression.  In  short,  it  is  Rev.  Andreiv  Manship  under 
the  name  and  form  of  a  hook.  To  his  friends,  it  will  be, 
I  have  no  doubt,  a  great  treasure ;  while  to  others,  it 
will  not  fail  to  afford  the  means  of  filling  up  leisure 
moments  both  agreeably  and  profitably. 

I  hope  this  book  may  have  a  large  sale ;  it  is  worthy 


ir  PREFACE. 

of  it,  not  only  in  itself,  but  also  on  account  of  the  bene- 
volent end  Tybich  the  proceeds,  in  great  part,  are  intended 
to  subserve.  Indeed,  I  cannot  but  hope  that,  beyond  his 
being  reimbursed  in  the  thousand  dollars  which,  in  anti- 
cipation, he  has  already  nobly  secured  to  the  Hedding 
Church,  the  author  may  realize  a  respectable  sum  to  add 
to  the  comforts  of  his  family,  and  his  means  of  useful- 
ness in  other  directions.  L.  Scott. 

Wilmington,  Nov.  14^A,  1855. 


CONTENTS, 


CHAPTER  I. 

Conversion  of  Author — Rev.  William  Spry — Ought  to  encourage  the 
Young — Hear  a  living  Man's  Funeral  preached — Meteoric  Phenome- 
non— Thought  the  Day  of  Judgment  had  come — Appointed  Class 
Leader — First  Exhortation  to  "Whites — Sent  to  Frederica  Circuit — 
Quarterly  Meeting  at  Barratt's  Chapel — Preached  to  Coloured  People 
in  the  Grove — Barratt's  Chapel — First  regular  Sacrament — Mr.  Asbury 
during  the  Revolutionary  War — Mistake  about  Methodism — The  Old  ~ 
Seat  preserved — Rev.  Dr.  Bond — Rev.  William  Connelly — Camp  Meet- 
ings— Interesting  Conversions — The  Grove  the  best  place  to  preach 
in  —  Happy  Death  at  a  Camp  Meeting  —  Let  us  encourage  Camp 
Meetings — Ministers  ought  to  be  Pastors — Assailed  by  a  Dog — Re- 
flections on  the  Conflict  with  the  Dog — Young  Quaker  Converted — 
Conduct  of  his  Mother — Conversion  of  Sherifi" — jSTecessity  of  Submis- 
sion— Conversion  of  a  Sea  Captain Page  13 

CHAPTER  IL 

Received  on  Trial  in  the  Philadelphia  Conference — Rev.  Joseph 
Lybrand — His  Last  Text — Funeral  Sermon  of  Bishop  Roberts — Bishop 
Emory — Rev.  James  Allen — Liberality  of  Ebenezer  Church — Bishop 
Whatcoat — Remains  of  the  Bishops — Bishop  Whatcoat's  Monument — 
Rev.  John  S.  Taylor — Anecdote  of  Mr.  Taylor — Be  in  time  for  Family 

1*  (5) 


VI  CONTENTS. 

Povotion — Rev.  Solomon  Sharp — Mr.  Sharp  casts  out  a  Devil — Anec- " 
dotes  of  Mr.  Sharp — Author's  first  Opinion  of  Ministers — Selling 
Religious  Books  an  appropriate  Work  of  Ministers — The  Danger  of 
Procrastination — Revolutionary  Soldier  converted — Frederick  Carter 
called  like  Samuel — Encourage  Piety  in  your  Children — Frederick 
Carter's  happy  Death — Beware  of  the  Company  you  keep — Treatment 
of  Coloured  People — JMajor  Massey — Many  Funerals — Flattery  Dan- 
gerous— The  Pipe  of  Peace — Church  completed  and  dedicated — Poor 
of  Earth— rich  in  Faith  ........     33 

CHAPTER  III. 

ChostoutHill  made  a  distinct  Charge — Small  Amount  of  Quarterage — 
Union  Chapels — Lot  procured  for  Church — Kindness  of  Presbyterians — 
Quarterly  Meeting  in  the  Grove — Night  Meetings — Praiseworthy  Con- 
duct of  a  Poor  Man — Death  of  a  Persecutor — The  Minnick  Family — 
The  Work  of  God  cannot  be  stopped — Woods  Meeting  near  Dresher- 
town — A  Noble-Hearted  German — "Strike  while  the  iron  is  hot" — 
Rev.  Albert  Barnes — Anecdote  of  General  Jackson — The  Ministerial 
Office  the  highest  held  by  Man — Go  cheerfully  to  your  Appointment — 
Leave  the  Appointing  Power  where  the  Discipline  places  it — The 
Better  Way — Reasons  against  Petitioning — Mutual  Sacrifices      .         .     66 


CHAPTER  IV. 

Trip  to  Conference  in  a  Bay  Craft — A  Mother  dying — Interesting 
little  Girl — Conference  kindly  entertained — Rev.  Henry  White — Pre- 
siding Eldership — Remarkable  Conversion — Anecdote  of  Father  White 
— Revivals  to  be  sought  at  Conference — Rev.  Charles  Pitman — Revival 
in  Mispillion  Neck — Disorderly  Drunkard — Missionary  Meetings — 
Coloured  Children  baptized  —  Union  Camp  Meeting  —  Remarkable 
Conversion  of  a  Young  Lady — A  Little  Girl  Converted — Father  led  to 
Christ  by  his  Little  Daughter — Mother  Rejoicing  over  her  Son's  Con- 
version— Miss  Fanny  Darby — Miss  Darby's  Devotion  to  the  Cause — 
Her  Death — Her  Tomb — Last  Call  to  an  interesting  Young  Man — Hon. 
John  M.  Clayton—IMiss   R.  A.  Sipple — A   Faithful   Sunday  School 


CONTENTS.  Vll 

Teacher  —  A  bereaved  Mother  —  Comforting  Reflections  —  Left  the 
Churchyard  profited — Preaching  at  Sunrise — Eemarkable  Prayer — 
Danger  of  Procrastination — An  alarming  Dream — Danger  of  Popular 
Applause 84 

CHAPTER  V. 

Conferences  in  small  Towns — Appointed  to  Lancaster — Death  of 
Rev.  W.  A.  Wiggins— His  Dying  Testimony  and  Burial — The  First 
Church  in  Lancaster — The  Contract — Sympathy  strengthens  weak 
Hands  —  Liberality  promoted  by  Singing  —  Liberality  of  Coloured 
People — Storm  at  Camp  Meeting — Aunt  Lottey — Shouting  in  Death — 
Weigh  well  your  Words — Dedication  at  Cambridge,  Md. — Rev.  Mr. 
Cazier — A  Mistake — Mr.  Adam  Wolf— Christian  Friends  a  Treasure 
— Rev.  George  Lacey,  M.  D. — Death  of  Emma  Lacey— Love  for  the 
Bible  gives  Character 114 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Bishop  Hamline — The  Episcopacy  not  an  Order,  but  an  Office — Rev. 
Ezekiel  Cooper — One  Soul  worth  Twenty  Years'  Labour — Ministers 
should  not  marry  prematurely  —  Bethlehem  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church — Emory  Methodist  Episcopal  Church — Rev.  Henry  G.  King 
— Conversion  of  his  Son — A  Testimonial  of  Regard — An  affecting 
Case  of  Hydrophopia — Inconsistency  of  Worldlings — Injurious  Ten- 
dencies of  Dancing — A  Young  Lutheran  Minister — "  Mention  not  that 
name" — Reception  of  returned  Volunteers — The  joyful  Surprise — 
Fight  the  Good  Fight — Pray  Avithout  ceasing — The  Transport  at 
meeting  Loved  Ones  in  Heaven    ........  130 


CHAPTER  VII. 

Sent  to  Easton — Rev.  Joseph  Hartley  in  Prison — The  ominous  Text 
— Appointment  changed — Refuse  not  to  receive  your  Preacher — "A 
word  spoken  in  due  season,  how  good  is  it !" — "All  things  work  together 
for  good" — Why  Methodism  has  not  prospered  in  New  Castle — Thomas 


nil  CONTENTS. 

Challenger,  Sr.— There  is  Mercy  even  for  the  Politician— Forget  not 
the  Prisoner — Wedding  in  Prison — "Unmarry  me" — Rev.  John  D. 
Long — Conversion  of  a  Romanist — Search  the  Scriptures — Behold, 
the  Bridegroom  cometh— Rev.  Nicholas  N.  Ridgley— His  Love  for 
Class  Meetings — "Why  he  became  an  Itinerant — A  remarkable  Parlour 
Meeting  — Brother  Ridgley  at  Camp  Meeting— Utility  of  Sunday 
Schools— Ministers  should  care  for  Children  .        .  .        .150 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

The  Third  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  Wilmington,  Del. — Rev. 
Edward  Kennard — Corner-Stone  laid  with  Masonic  Ceremonies — Co- 
operation of  Christian  Females  important — Discouraging  Condition  of 
Union  Church,  Wilmington — Origin  of  Methodism  in  Wilmington — 
St.  Paul's  Methodist  Episcopal  Church— Odd  Fellows'  Hall— The  Light 
breaking — Confidence  restored — Theatres  Nurseries  of  Vice — The 
Press  in  Wilmington — Rev.  Levi  Storks — Red  Lion  Camp  Meeting — 
Shouting  it  out — An  Apology  demanded — The  Apology  commenced — 
The  Apology  concluded — Camp  Meeting  at  Willis's  Woods — Give,  and 
it  shall  be  given  unto  you — Scatter  and  increase — A  Venture — Dedi- 
cation of  Basement — First  Convert — Dedication  of  Union  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church — Rev.  Henry  Slicer 172 

CHAPTER  IX. 

The  Prodigal  Son  coming  Home — Rev.  Joseph  Whittington — I  can- 
not come  down — The  Holy  Virgin  disgraced — Taken  for  a  Roman 
Priest  —  Help  weak  Places  —  The  Canvass  Church — A  groundless 
Alarm — His  last  Call — A  memorable  Day — Faith  laughs  at  Impossi- 
bilities— A  Dance-House  made  a  House  of  Prayer — To  get  a  Soul  con- 
verted always  in  order — A  grateful  Convert — Hon.  Judge  Hall — An 
entertaining  Circumstance — Charmed  by  the  Singing  of  a  little  Girl — 
Ask  the  Prayers  of  Children — The  Roman  Catholic  Sister — Can  do 
better  with  Religion — Not  Methodists  only  shout  —  Dedication  at 
Oxford,  Pa. — Rev.  Jonas  Bissey — Killed  by  Lightning — Rev.  James 
Smith— His  Death- -May  we  shout  in  Death  ! 196 


CONTENTS.  IX 


CHAPTER  X. 


"Wesleyan  Collegiate  Institute" — Rev.  Solomon  Prettyman — Mr. 
Prettyman  parts  with  Wesleyan  Female  Collegiate  Institute — Professor 
Thomas  E.  Sudler — An  interesting  Commencement — Rev.  George 
Loomis,  A.  M. — Respect  shown  to  the  General  Conference — Infidelity 
hypocritical — Anecdote  of  the  Travellers — Believe  what  your  Mother 
says — Origin  of  Methodism  in  Boston — First  Methodist  Church  in 
Boston — Rev.  Jesse  Lee — Anecdotes  of  Mr.  Lee — Boston  Common — 
The  Old  Elm  Tree — "Woodman,  spare  that  tree" — Senate  Chamber — 
Bunker's  Hill — Thrilling  Incident — Camp  Meeting  near  Millersburg, 
Pa. — Enraged  Ferryman  conquered — The  "Weapons  of  our  Warfare 
are  Spiritual  —  Warned  a  rich  Man — Rev.  John  Cummings  —  His 
efforts  to  suppress  Intemperance — Deal's  Island  Camp  Meeting — Rev. 
Joshua  Thomas — Preaches  to  the  British — Warns  them  against  an 
Attack  on  Baltimore — Brother  Thomas  a  great  Shouter — The  big 
Canoe — Brother  Thomas's  Death — Death  of  a  Student  of  the  Wesleyan 
Female  College — Funeral  of  Miss  B. — "  Steer  this  way,  Father" — 
Dedication  at  Odessa — Bishop  Scott — The  affecting  Case  of  Captain  A. 
— A  Storm  at  Sea — God  hears  the  Sailor's  Prayer — The  Grounds  of 
Hope  in  Captain  A.'s  Death — The  Gospel  Life-Boat — Dedication  at  St. 
George's,  Del. — A  Female  financiering — Improve  Churches — Emulate 
the  Example  of  David 222 


CHAPTER  XL 

''In  the  strength  of  the  Lord  I  will  go" — Nazareth  No.  2 — Its  Origin 
— Two  zealous  Ladies — Thomas  Willday — Hedding  Church — Bishop 
Hedding — Encouraging  Commencement — Lot  selected  for  Hedding 
Church — Reasons  for  the  Selection — Preliminary  Measures — Hedding 
Church  made  a  distinct  Charge — Leaves  shaken  from  the  Tree  of  Life 
— The  impotent  Arrogance  of  Romanists — Means  of  Success  simple 
— Tabernacle  M.  E.  Church— Incident  in  the  Life  of  Rov.  J.  Wesley 


X  CONTENTS. 

— Ilavo  Faith  in  God — Laying  Corner-Stono  of  Ilodding  Church — 
Touts  erected — Interest  the  Children — Served  a  better  Purpose  than 
intended — Stand  breaks  down — Young  Ladies  converted — The  Banish- 
ed called  Homo — Forsake  all — A  Strife  in  the  Tents — Opposing  Parents 
defeated— Willing  to  have  a  Revival  in  God's  Way — The  Spiritual 
Work  is  above  all — The  Gospel  the  Panacea  for  the  Miseries  of  the 
World — Importance  of  Church  Extension — Rev.  David  H.  KoUock — 
His  Death  and  Funeral— The  last  Night  in  the  Tents  .        .         ,        .260 


CHAPTER  XIL 

Plan  of  Plank  Church  proposed — Finished  in  ten  Days — Dedication 
— Rev.  John  Hersey — Plank  Church  crowded — Many  converted — An 
exemplary  Coloured  Man — Names  given  to  Plank  Church — Mrs.  Phoebe 
Palmer — Incident  at  a  Hotel — Second  Sunday  Night  in  Plank  Church 
— Lights  go  out — Effect  on  some  present — Conversion  of  a  Romanist 
— Wife  of  a  German  Infidel  converted — Harsh  Treatment  by  her  Hus- 
band— A  Lawyer's  Wife  converted — Effect  on  the  Husband — His  Con- 
version— Protracted  Meeting  held  through  Christmas  Holidays — Watch 
Night — Conversion  of  an  elderly  Lady — Dedication  of  Basement — 
Nine  Sermons — Love  Feast — Missionary  Collection — James  Stewart 
— "  Out  of  the  eater  came  forth  meat" — Let  our  motto  be,  "  God  and 
the  People" — Anecdote  of  Mr.  Wesley — Methodism  in  Reading — First 
Donation  to  a  Church — St.  Peter's  M.  E.  Church,  Reading — Mistake 
about  a  Certificate — Bishop  Ames — Close  of  Conference  at  Reading     .  289 


CHAPTER  XIIL 

Revivals  increase  our  Congregations  —  The  best  Way  to  revive 
a  Church — "Immortal  till  our  work  is  done" — The  Old  Rye  Field 
—  The  happy  Change  —  Dedication  of  Bloomery  Church — Author 
reported  as  dead — Encouraging  Letter  from  Bishop  Waugh — Life 
Insurance — Objections  to  Life  Insurance  answered — Rev.  John  Led- 
num  — Plank  Church  Camp  Meeting  — Rev.  Dr.  Early  —  Rev.  Dr. 


CONTENTS.  XI 

Green — Be  willing  to  preach  anywhere — "Christ  is  preached,  and 
I  therein  do  rejoice" — Let  the  Pulpit  be  kept  pure — The  Messrs. 
Ginnodo — Dedication  of  Hedding  Church — Happy  Death  of  George 
M'Caulley — Rev.  Prof.  Wentworth — Rev.  Dr.  Kennaday — Love  Feast 
on  a  peculiar  Plan — The  Anniversary  of  the  temporary  Hedding  Church 
The  Singing  in  the  Plank  Church — An  Incident — An  Incident  in  the 
Author's  own  Experience — Found  a  more  congenial  Spirit  among  con- 
verted Sailors — Rev.  John  P.  Durbin,  D.  D. — Samuel  H.  Aldridge,  Esq. 
— "  Let  the  highest  bidder  have  it" — Rev.  A.  A.  Willetts — Temporary 
Arrangement  recommended 314 

CHAPTER  XrV. 

A  Family  in  Distress — "  Will  there  be  room  enough  for  me,  too  ?" — 
We  should  feel  for  the  Poor — Mrs.  Ann  B.  Castle — Her  Marriage  to 
Rev.  Joseph  Castle — Her  peaceful  Death — "The  contrast  is  great." 
— Course  of  Lectures — Novel  Expedient — Though  novel  yet  successful 
— How  to  prevent  Reaction — Revivals  defended — Prosperity  of  Hed- 
ding Church — "  A  more  excellent  way" — Induced  to  take  a  super- 
numerary Relation — Returned  to  Hedding  Church  with  an  Assistant 
— The  Church  should  encourage  those  called  to  the  Ministry — "  Tell 
your  family  to  cheer  up — all  will  be  well" — The  horse.  Itinerant — "  Be 
not  afraid;  only  believe" — Visit  to  Europe  proposed — Embarked  for 
Europe — Disappointment — Blasted  Anticipations — Disappointment  ap- 
parently providential — "Don't  let  her  drive" — "Light  is  sown  for  the 
Righteous" — Dedication  of  Church  at  Indiantown,  Md.— Camp  Meet- 
ing near  Milton,  Del. — Ex-Governor  Hazzard — Enthusiasm  in  giving 
—Thank  God  there  is  Vitality  in  the  Church — Dedication  of  Garrison's 
Chapel,  Accomac  Co.,  Va. — Conversion  of  a  little  Girl — "  I  fell  a  cry- 
ing, papa" — The  Kindness  to  Coloured  People — Rev.  Adam  Wallace — 
Harmony  among  the  Methodists  in  Virginia — Meeting  in  Concert 
Hall,  Phila. — Reasons  for  going  to  Concert  Hall— Let  the  "Songs  of 
Zion"  be  sung — The  effect  of  Zion's  Songs — The  Addresses  in  Concert 
Hall — Respect  shown  to  the  Speakers— Charity  should  begin  but  not 
remain  at  Home — Young  Stocker — "  Cast  down,  but  not  destroyed" 


xii  CONTENTS. 

—Let  Slanderers  look  well  to  themselves— Don't  clog  the  Wheels  of 
the  Itinerancy — Mr.  Wesley  an  eminent  Itinerant — The  Methodists  die 
well—"  Now  sing  mo  home  to  Ileaven"— "  There  is  light  in  the  valley" 
—Mrs.  Hannah  Louisa  Flinn— Triumphant  Death  of  Mrs.  M.— "Ab- 
sent from  the  body,  present  with  the  Lord" — Don't  forget  tho  Fact  that 
Methodists  die  well— We  won't  give  up  the  distinguishing  Features  of 
Methodism «        •  347 


THIRTEEN  YEARS'  EXPERIENCE 


IN  THE 


ITINERANCY. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Conversion — Rev.  William  Spry — Susceptibility  of  Youth — Hear  a 
living  Man's  Funeral  preached — The  Stars  seemed  to  be  falling — 
Thought  the  Day  of  Judgment  had  come — Appointed  Class  Leader 
for  the  People  of  Colour — Fii'st  Exhortation  to  white  People — Sent 
by  Presiding  Elder  to  Frederics  Circuit — Barratt's  Chapel — 
Sacrament  administered  by  Dr.  Coke — Joyful  Meeting  between 
him  and  Mr.  Asbury — Rev.  Dr.  Bond — Rev.  William  Connelly — 
Camp  Meetings — Pastoral  Visiting — Fighting  with  a  Beast — 
Churches  enlarged — Visit  a  Quaker  Lady's  House — Deeply  pious 
coloured  Couple — Sea  Captain  converted — Recommended  to  Annual 
Conference — In  favor  of  the  Itinerancy. 

THE  title  of  my  book  is  "  Thirteen  Years'  Experience 
in  tlie  Itinerancy ;"  yet  my  readers  will  not,  I  trust, 
deem  it  improper  for  me  to  give  an  account  of  my  con- 
version.    This  glorious  event,  and  one  that  never  will 
2  (13) 


14  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

Conversion  of  author.  Rev.  Wm.  Spry. 

be  forgotten  by  me,  took  place  in  August,  1835,  when  1 
was  a  very  small  boy,  at  a  camp  meeting  held  in  what 
was  called  the  Three  Bridges  Woods,  some  three  miles 
from  Denton,  Caroline  county,  Md.  I  heard  a  sermon 
preached  on  that  occasion  by  Rev.  Charles  Pitman,  that 
reached  my  heart,  and  proved  to  be  the  power  of  God 
unto  my  salvation.  I  was  so  small  and  so  young,  that 
some  had  but  little  faith,  if  any,  in  my  sincerity,  and 
rather  repulsed  than  encouraged  me ;  but,  in  making 
this  effort,  I  found  a  true  friend  in  Rev.  William  Spry, 
who  practically  manifested  that  he  did  not  "  despise  the 
day  of  small  things."  He  has  gone  from  earth  to 
heaven  doubtless,  yet  he  lives  in  my  memory,  and  I 
hope  in  eternity  to  rise  up  and  call  him  blessed,  for  the 
instruction  he  gave  me,  and  the  interest  he  took  in  a 
poor  orphan  boy's  spiritual  prosperity.  Not  only  did  I 
find  that  the  Saviour  was  precious,  but  many  of  my 
young  associates  also  experienced  the  smiles  of  Jesus. 
We  were,  on  our  return  home  in  the  town  of  Denton, 
formed  into  a  class,  which  class  was  almost  exclusively 
composed  of  very  young  persons,  and  Rev.  William  Spry 
did  not  think  it  beneath  his  dignity,  though  the  preacher 
of  the  Circuit,  to  become  our  leader.  And  truthfully  it 
may  be  said,  he  "led  us  beside  the  still  waters,"  and  we 
did  "  lie  down  in  green  pastures." 

The  Church  sustained  a  great  loss  in  the  premature 
death,  of  this  deeply  pious  minister.     Judging  from  his 


IN    THE    ITIXERANCY.  15 

Rev.  Wm.  Spry. 

venerable  and  sedate  appearance,  and  from  his  almost 
snow-white  hair,  some  concluded  that  he  was  quite  an 
aged  man.  It  was  not  an  uncommon  circumstance  for 
him  to  be  addressed  "  Father  Sprj"  by  persons  much  his 
senior,  and,  in  some  cases,  old  enough  to  be  his  father. 
In  all  my  intercourse  with  men  (and  I  had  much  with 
him),  I  never  knew  a  man  that  spent  so  much  time  upon 
his  knees.  The  closet  to  him  had  many  attractions. 
In  his  family,  there  was  not  only  morning  and  evening 
devotion,  but  also  at  noon,  he,  with  his  family,  worshipped 
God  under  his  own  vine  and  fig-tree.  I  was,  in  the 
year  1840,  for  some  months  in  Lewes,  Delaware,  a  resi- 
dent in  this  Christian  family,  and  I  can  truly  say  it  was 
like  the  house  of  Obededom,  where  the  "  ark  of  the  Lord 
rested."  He  was  a  model  pastor — "into  whatsoever 
house  he  entered,"  he  said,  "Peace  be  .to  this  house." 
He  won  the  hearts  of  all  both  small  and  great,  and  had 
a  suitable  word  to  address  to  all  the  inmates  of  the 
family ;  and,  when  he  came  amongst  the  families  of  his 
charge,  an  angel  could  not  have  been  more  welcome. 
His  influence  was  felt,  not  only  in  the  pulpit,  but  every- 
where, and  in  every  charge,  where  he  was  called  upon 
to  labour,  he  was  compassed  about  with  a  cloud  of  devoted 
friends.  And  the  most  impious  were  attached  to  this 
dignified,  devoted  Christian  minister,  and  delighted  to 
attend  his  ministry.  He  had  seals  to  his  ministry,  as 
my  readers  would  naturally  conclude.     It  was  only  to 


16  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

Rov.  Win.  Spry.  Ought  to  encourage  tho  young. 

know  him,  to  love  him.  He  could  sing  almost  like  an 
angel,  and  his  lady  was  also  greatly  gifted  in  this 
respect;  and  conjointly  their  performances,  in  this 
interesting  part  of  worship,  was  sufficient  to  allay  the 
evil  spirit  in  any  man,  and  make  one  feel  that  he  was 
"  quite  on  the  verge  of  Heaven."  His  last  field  of  labour 
was  on  the  Eastern  Shore  of  Virginia,  shortly  after  the 
unhappy  division  of  our  Church  in  1844.  His  circuit 
was  on  the  border.  It  required  a  very  prudent  man  to 
occupy  successfully  that  field.  In  the  hands  of  Rev. 
AYilliam  Spry  the  appointing  power  felt  that  everything 
will  be  done  decently  and  in  order.  All  felt  that  he 
had  the  spirit  of  his  Master,  that  all  will  be  harmony, 
and  the  most  glorious  results  will  follow.  He  more 
than  met  the  expectations  of  his  friends  on  that  then 
difficult  field  of  labour.  But  his  career  here  was  short. 
To  the  grief  of  many  a  loving  heart,  he  there  "  fell  in 
the  work,  he  died  at  his  post."  The  loss  of  his  family 
and  of  the  Church  was  his  infinite  gain. 

My  impression  is,  we  ought  to  encourage  the  young. 
Well  do  I  recollect  the  powerful  convictions  I  had  for 
several  years  before  my  soul  was  converted.  I  saw  an 
old  man  hung  when  I  was  about  ten  years  of  age.  I 
heard  a  minister  of  Christ  preach  his  funeral  sermon. 
How  awful  it  was  to  hear  his  own  funeral  discourse  !  The 
text  was,  "  The  wages  of  sin  is  death,  but  the  gift  of 
God   is  eternal  life  throuo;h  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord." 


IN   THE    ITIXERAXCY.  17 


Hear  a  living  man's  funeral  preached. 


Rev.  Mr.  Stockton  was  the  speaker.  Under  his  sermon, 
I  shed  many  tears ;  but,  at  that  time,  no  one  specially 
"cared  for  my  soul."  About  this  period  I  learned  the 
hymn,  beginning, 

**And  am  I  born  to  die? 
To  lay  this  body  down  ? 
And  must  my  trembling  spirit  fly 
Into  a  world  unknown  ?" 

I  committed  the  whole  of  it  to  memory,  and  I  used  to 
sing  it  mournfully  to  myself,  and  in  my  heart  did  wish 
I  had  never  been  born.  I  suppose  scarcely  any  one 
thought  of  such  a  thing  relative  to  myself;  but  many  a 
sleepless  night  did  I  spend  from  my  tenth  year  until 
the  time  I  was  converted  to  God.  I  was  afraid  to  close 
my  eyes  in  sleep  frequently,  thinking  I  might  awake  up 
in  hell.  There  are  few  children  now,  in  this  day,  but 
have  better  opportunities  for  being  instructed  in  the 
good  way  than  I  had.  And  as  I  felt  I  was  in  the 
downward  road  to  ruin,  had  I  been  encouraged  by  the 
pious,  and  pointed  to  the  sinner's  Friend,  I  might  have 
been  converted  several  years  earlier.  Therefore  I 
argue  that  our  children  are,  in  early  life,  susceptible  of 
divine  impressions,  and  we  ought  to  labour  for,  and  with 
them,  more  than  we  do,  and  revival  after  revival  ought 
to  take  place  in  our  Sunday  schools. 

In  the  autumn  of  1833,  the  very  remarkable  meteoric 
2* 


18  TIIIIITEEN   years'    EXPEKIENCE 

Meteoric  phenomenon. 

plicnomcna  occurred.  Early  in  the  morning,  before  the 
day  broke  in  the  country  where  I  lived,  the  family  arose 
afifrighted  and  dismayed.  We  saw  the  stars  flying, 
shooting,  and  apparently  falling  in  every  direction. 
There  were  none  in  the  family  versed  in  astronomy,  and 
we  could  not  assign  a  cause  for  it.  But  there  were  a 
number  of  poor  sinners  in  the  family,  greatly  terrified ; 
for  we  supposed  "  the  great  day  of  wrath  had  come,  and 
we  were  not  able  to  stand."  No  one,  out  of  the  bottom- 
less pit,  I  thought,  could  be  more  miserable.  And  all 
with  whom  I  was  associated,  were  terrified  awfully; 
because  we  knew  we  were  not  prepared  for  "the  day  of 
vengeance  of  our  God."  I  then  felt,  though  a  very 
insignificant  boy,  between  eleven  and  twelve  years  of  age, 
if  I  could  I  would  have  given  all  the  world  for  religion,  a 
preparation  to  meet  my  God.  After  finding  that  our 
conclusions  were  incorrect,  I  again  vowed  to  the  Lord 
to  be  his  servant.  Some  two  years  passed  before  I  paid 
this  vow ;  as  I  have  already  stated  to  my  readers,  I  gave 
my  heart  to  God  in  the  month  of  August,  1835,  at  the 
camp  meeting,  by  simple  faith  in  the  Redeemer.  "  This 
poor"  boy  "  cried,  and  the  Lord  heard  him,  and  saved 
him  out  of  all  his  troubles." 

I  desire  to  present  to  my  readers  another  incident  in 
my  history,  which  occurred  while  travelling  my  first  field 
of  labour.  I  was  spending  the  night  at  the  house  of  a 
worthy  brother,  who  was  the  postmaster  in  the  town 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  19 

Thought  the  Day  of  Judgment  had  come. 

where  it  occurred.  It  was  the  time  of  the  Millerite 
excitement.  The  night  was  dismal,  the  thunders  roared 
terrifically,  the  lightnings  flashed  vividly ;  and,  just  at 
the  height  of  the  storm,  the  four-horse  stage,  carrying 
the  United  States  Mail,  came  dashing  at  almost  full 
speed  to  the  house  where  I  was  lodging,  and  being 
refreshed  by  "nature's  sweet  restorer."  The  bell,  that 
was  to  arouse  the  postmaster,  was  suspended  just  over 
my  head,  and  the  stage  driver  brought  all  his  muscular 
power  to  bear  upon  it.  This,  in  connexion  with  the 
other  circumstances,  aroused  me  suddenly.  I  sprang 
from  the  bed  hastily ;  and,  for  the  time  being,  I  felt  "  this 
is  the  end  of  the  world."  But  I  had  gone  to  rest  that 
night  in  a  happy  frame  of  mind ;  and,  though  for  the 
moment  I  realized,  in  my  feelings  at  least,  that  I  should 
soon  see  the  Judge  descending  upon  his  great  white 
throne ;  yet  I  was  enabled  to  say,  feeling  I  was  through 
riches  of  grace  in  Christ  Jesus  ready, 

"Hallelujah,  God  appears  on  earth  to  reign." 

Though  I  had  no  father  or  mother  to  help  me  on  my 
religious  course  (my  good  old  Quaker  mother,  who  was 
very  much  attached  to  her  children,  dying  when  I  was 
very  young,  and  my  father  soon  following  after),  yet  the 
Lord  and  the  Methodist  Church  have  taken  me  up.  The 
leaders  of  prayer  meetings  and  ministers,  early  in  my 
career,  began  occasionally  to  call  on  me  to  pray  in  public. 


20  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

Appointed  class  loader.  Eirst  exhortation  to  whites. 

It  was  some-wliat  novel  to  see  a  small  boy  thus  officiating. 
And,  when  I  was  very  young,  the  preacher  in  charge 
appointed  me  to  lead  class  for  the  people  of  colour  in 
the  town  of  Denton.  In  this  sphere,  I  learned  much, 
and  found  it  was  good  for  me  to  be  there.  One  of  the 
first  efforts  I  made  in  the  way  of  exhortation,  among  the 
^Yhite  people,  was  in  the  church  at  Denton,  on  a  certain 
Sabbath  evening,  when,  from  some  cause,  the  minister 
failed  to  be  at  his  post.  I  was  much  embarrassed ;  and, 
having  been  in  the  habit  of  labouring  among  the  coloured 
people  exclusively,  I  forgot  my  position,  and,  over  and 
over,  I  addressed  the  audience  as  "  coloured  friends." 
I  did  not  know  that  I  had  made  such  a  mistake,  until  a 
kind  old  friend  told  me  of  it  after  the  meeting  was  over. 
But  the  people  threw  the  mantle  of  charity  around  me, 
and  winked  at  this  matter,  owing  to  the  circumstances. 

In  the  year  1841,  there  were  several  vacancies  on 
the  Caroline  Circuit.  That  year,  three  ministers  on  that 
field  of  labour  died ;  viz.  Rev.  Wm.  Torbert,  Rev.  Wm. 
W.  Williams,  and  Rev.  Wesley  Henderson ;  and  it  may 
justly  be  said  they  were  all  faithful  and  true  men,  and 
the  loss  which  their  families  and  the  Church  sustained 
was  their  gain,  for  they  were  ''  ready  to  be  offered."  The 
Presiding  Elder  of  the  district,  to  my  surprise,  desired 
me  to  fill  a  vacancy  there,  and  sent  me  an  official  paper 
to  that  effect.  Circumstances  would  not  admit  of  a  com- 
pliance with  this  request.     My  business  arrangements 


IN  THE  ITINERANCY.  21 

Sent  to  Frederica  Circuit.  Quarterly  Meeting  at  Barratt's  Chapel, 

were  against  it ;  but,  mainly,  I  did  not  feel  that  I  was 
qualified  for  the  great  work,  and  sensibly  felt  I  had  not 
tarried  sufficiently  long  at  Jerusalem. 

Having  been  licensed  as  a  local  preacher  at  the 
Quarterly  Conference,  for  Denton  Circuit,  in  January, 
1842, 1  consented,  the  following  May,  to  accompany  Rev. 
Daniel  Lamdin,  the  Presiding  Elder,  to  Frederica  Circuit, 
Kent  county,  Delaware,  and,  by  him  was  appointed 
junior  preacher  for  that  circuit,  as  there  was  a  vacancy. 

The  object  the  Elder  had  in  view  in  going  in  person 
to  Frederica  Circuit,  was  to  hold  the  first  Quarterly 
Meeting  for  that  Conference  year.  We  found  the  attend- 
ance very  large,  even  on  Saturday.  I  was  introduced 
to  the  brethren  and  the  preacher  in  charge,  and  received 
kindly  and  treated  afiectionately. 

The  evening  appointment  for  Saturday  was  to  be 
filled  by  myself.  I  did  the  best  I  could  from  "  Is  there 
no  balm  in  Gilead?"  &c.  The  effort,  however,  was 
greatly  mortifying  to  myself,  and,  I  have  no  doubt,  also 
to  others.  I  had  but  little  sleep  that  night;  but,  on 
Sunday  morning,  the  clouds  dispersed,  and,  in  the  love 
feast,  my  soul  did  "  swell  unutterably  full  of  glory  and 
of  God."  At  the  close  of  the  love  feast,  so  great  was 
^  the  crowd  that  it  was  deemed  proper  to  request  the 
coloured  people  to  vacate  the  gallery  for  the  whites  ;  and 
an  arrangement  was  made  for  them,  and  those  whites 
who  could  not  get  a  seat  in  the  church,  to  hear  the  word 


22  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

.  Preached  to  coloured  people  in  the  grove. 

of  the  Lord  under  the  trees  with  which  the  church  was 
surrounded.  And  the  lot  fell  upon  me  to  perform  this 
service.  I  had  for  my  pulpit  a  wagon,  and  I  endeavoured 
to  lift  up  my  voice  like  a  trumpet  from  "  Go  ye  into  all 
the  world,  and  preach  my  Gospel  to  every  creature." 
This  was  the  largest  congregation  to  which  I  ever  had 
tried  to  preach.  We  found  the  presence  and  power  of 
God  was  not  confined  to  the  edifice,  but,  under  the  foliage 
of  those  stately  trees,  he  manifested  himself  to  us  most 
gloriously.  I  verily  believe  good  seed  was  sown  that 
day,  and  that  it  found  a  lodgment  in  good  ground. 

The  point  at  which  this  Quarterly  Meeting  was  held 
was  ''Barratfs  Chapel^''  one  mile  from  the  town  of 
Frederica.  This  place  is  the  most  celebrated,  decidedly, 
for  large  Quarterly  Meetings  of  any  on  the  peninsula. 
A  person  attending  a  meeting  of  this  kind  at  this  point 
would  see  all  the  interest  of  a  quarterly  visitation  that 
characterized  such  occasions  generally  forty  and  fifty 
years  ago,  especially  in  reference  to  attendance.  And, 
God  be  praised !  Quarterly  Meetings  here  are  still  inter- 
esting in  a  religious  aspect.  At  this  period,  we  deemed 
it  proper,  from  "the  signs  of  the  times,"  to  continue  our 
meeting  for  several  days,  which  resulted  in  the  conversion 
of  a  number  of  precious  souls ;  among  whom  was  a 
Quaker  lady,  who  had  recently  located  with  her  husband 
in  this  neighbourhood.     This  was  the  first  soul  over 


IN  THE   ITINEKANCT.  23 

Barratt's  Chapel.  First  regular  sacrament. 

whose  conversion  I  was  permitted  to  shout  in  my  itinerant 
life ;  but,  thank  God  !  I  have  rejoiced  over  many  since. 
Barratt's  Chapel  is  an  interesting  spot  on  many 
accounts.  It  was  built  at  an  early  period,  viz.  1780, 
mainly  through  the  labours  and  means  of  Philip  Bar- 
ratt,  who  had  been  a  Presbyterian,  as  one  of  his  descend- 
ants informed  me;  and,  hearing  the  early  Methodist 
preachers,  fell  in  love  with  them  and  their  doctrine,  and 
resolved  to  bid  them  God  speed,  and  open  for  them  an 
effectual  door,  by  building  a  house  of  respectable  size  and 
quality,  in  which  the  word  of  the  Lord  could  be  faith- 
fully preached,  and  the  sacraments  duly  administered. 
It  was  at  this  very  place  where  Rev.  Dr.  Thomas  Coke 
first  met  the  faithful  Asbury,  who  had  taken  a  most 
active  part  in  bringing  about  the  erection  of  this  place 
of  worship,  this  church  in  the  wilderness.  They  met 
joyfully,  saluting  each  other,  before  the  vast  congrega- 
tion, with  a  holy  kiss.  Here  the  holy  sacrament  was  first 
administered  regularly  to  the  Methodists  in  this  country. 
This  was  done  by  Dr.  Coke,  on  the  14th  of  November, 
1784,  to  between  five  and  six  hundred  persons.  Mr.  Wes- 
ley had  recently  set  him  apart  for  this  work  and  labour  of 
love,  and  the  complete  organization  of  our  societies  into 
a  regular  Church.  It  was  at  this  place  the  calling  of  the 
preachers  together  in  a  General  Conference  capacity  was 
resolved  upon ;  which  event  took  place  in  the  city  of 
Baltimore,  December   24,  1784.     This  was  styled  the 


24         THIRTEEN  years'  EXPERIENCE 

Mr.  Asbury  during  tho  Revolutionary  War.         Mistake  about  Methodism. 

"  Christmas  Conference."  Rev.  Thomas  Coke  and  Rev. 
Francis  Asbury  were,  according  to  Mr.  Wesley's  wish 
and  appointment,  chosen  Superintendents. 

Mr.  Asbury  had  been  several  years  previously 
labouring  day  and  night  on  this  continent  in  his  Master's 
cause,  and,  even  when  the  war  broke  out  between  the 
mother  country  and  the  colonies,  he  did  not  desert  the 
sheep  and  leave  them  without  a  shepherd.  He  found  it 
necessary  for  his  personal  safety  not  to  appear  in  public 
for  a  while,  and  found  in  this  time  of  trial,  an  asylum 
at  the  house  of  Judge  White,  who  was  a  resident  of  the 
state  of  Delaware,  some  twenty  miles  from  Barratt's 
Chapel.  Methodism,  from  its  first  introduction  into  this 
part  of  the  country,  has  always  had,  and  now  has,  men 
of  wealth  and  great  influence,  who  have  felt,  and  now 
feel  it  to  be  their  highest  honour  to  sustain  this  child  of 
Providence,  or  as  Dr.  Chalmers  calls  it,  "  Christianity  in 
earnest." 

As  Rarratt's  Chapel  was  being  built,  the  size  was 
objected  to,  and  it  was  asked  by  an  enemy,  "what  is  the 
use  of  building  the  house  so  large  ?  for  in  a  little  while  a 
corn  crib  will  hold  all  the  Methodists."  Rut  we  see 
from  the  last  census  (unfaithful  as  we  have  been),  this 
body  of  Christians  is  the  largest  in  our  country,  and  the 
corn  crib  would  have  to  be  of  mammoth  dimensions  to 
hold  us  all.    This  was  not  the  first,  and,  by  no  means,  the 


z 


IN   THE    ITINERANCY.  25 

The  old  seat  preserved.  Rev.  Dr.  Bond. 

last   false   prophecy  put   forth   relative  to  the  people 
called  Methodists. 

As  that  spot  is  memorable  in  the  history  of  Method- 
ism, and  as  it  stands  now  "as  it  ever  hath  stood,"  so 
far  as  its  exterior  is  concerned,  I  have  thought  it  would 
be  very  acceptable  to  my  readers  to  give  them  a  steel 
engraved  view  of  the  original  Barratt's  Chapel.  This 
spot  is  interesting  to  me  on  many  accounts,  and  amongst 
others,  it  was,  as  my  readers  have  seen,  the  place 
where  I  commenced  my  itinerant  life.  This  edifice  has 
been  revised  inside  and  improved ;  the  same  seat,  how- 
ever, is  retained  in  the  pulpit  on  which  Asbury,  Coke, 
Whatcoat,  Garretson,  and  others  (of  whom  the  world 
was  not  worthy),  sat.  In  the  spring  of  1845,  when  the 
Philadelphia  Conference  was  held  in  Milford,  not  far  from 
Barratt's  Chapel,  Rev.  Dr.  Thomas  E.  Bond,  "the  hero 
of  a  hundred  battles"  in  behalf  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  had  the  privilege  of  standing  in  this  temple, 
which  was  to  him  a  great  gratification.  He  doubtless 
thought  of  the  men  of  precious  memory,  who  had,  in  the 
vejy  dawning  of  Methodism,  stood  here  upon  the  walls  of 
Zion ;  their  characters,  aspersed  by  the  enemies  of  truth 
and  righteousness,  and  their  glorious  cause,  he  had  vin- 
dicated. The  Church  will  remember  and  respect  him  as 
long  as  he  lives.  This  has  frequently  been  shown  in  the 
past ;  and,  when  he  fights  his  last  battle,  and  shouts  in 
death  '^  don't  give  up  the  ship," — thousands  and  tens  of 


26         THIRTEEN  YEARS'  EXPERIENCE 

Rev.  AVm.  Connelly.  Camp  meetings. 

thousands  will  say,  "  well  done,  good  and  faithful  ser- 
vant." Dr.  Bond's  sermon  on  this  occasion  proved  him 
to  bo  an  able  minister  of  the  New  Testament.  The 
circumstances  apparently  inspired  him,  and  the  younger 
ministers  who  were  present  were  awed  into  reverence, 
and  felt  like  praying  that  the  mantles  of  our  ascended 
Elijahs  might  fall  upon  them. 

My  colleague,  Rev.  William  Connelly,  was  much  of 
a  gentleman.  His  kindness  I  can  never  forget.  He 
was  greatly  beloved  on  the  Circuit.  The  people  consid- 
ered it  a  great  privilege  to  hear  him  preach,  and  his 
congregations  were  always  large.  He  was  powerful  also 
in  exhortation  ;  and  he  could  stir  a  congregation,  and 
affect  to  tears  beyond  his  brethren  generally.  He  was 
a  man  of  one  book,  in  this  respect  like  Wesley ;  and,  as 
it  was  said  of  Apollos,  so  it  might  be  said  of  him,  "  he 
was  an  eloquent  man,  and  mighty  in  the  Scriptures." 
In  the  year  1844,  August  8th,  in  the  town  of  Denton, 
Md.,  he  finished  his  course.  He  "  rests  from  his 
laboui'S."     His  last  words  were  "glory  to  God." 

As  my  colleague  was  favourable  to  camp  meetings, 
and  as  the  people  were  in  this  respect  like  their  minister, 
and  none  more  so  than  myself,  therefore  we  had  two 
on  the  Circuit,  one  at  Pratt's  Branch,  and  one  at 
Combe's  Woods.  And  I  do  not  exaggerate,  I  think,  when 
I  say  there  were  at  least  three  hundred  souls  converted 
at  the  camp  meetings.     The  people  were  well  paid  for 


IN   THE    ITINERANCY.  27 

Interesting  conversions. 

their  labour  and  expense.  I  remember  an  interesting 
ca^e  at  one  of  the  meetings  referred  to.  The  aged 
father  of  one  of  our  valuable  ministers  earnestly  cried 
for  mercy.  How  imposing  was  the  scene  !  one  in  which 
angels  themselves  took  an  interest.  The  son,  an  able 
minister  of  the  New  Testament,  with  tear-bathed  cheeks, 
plead  with  God  in  behalf  of  his  aged  father,  at  the 
mourner's  bench. 

I  have  many  reasons  which  I  could  assign  in  favour 
of  this  means  of  grace,  this  soul-saving  arrangement. 
One  of  the  prominent  reasons  why  I  would  advocate 
their  perpetuity  amongst  us  is,  that  we  have  hundreds 
and  thousands,  through  this  agency,  brought  under  our 
preaching  that  otherwise  we  should  not  be  able  to  reach. 
And  when  they  come,  although  it  may  not  be  in  their 
thoughts  to  be  benefited,  arrows,  shot  from  Jehovah's 
quiver,  penetrate  their  hearts,  and  they  are  won  to  the 
Saviour.  To  establish  this  position,  I  will  mention  a 
few  cases  which  have  come  under  my  own  observation. 
I  knew  at  one  of  our  camps  a  tavern-keeper,  a  man  at 
least  fifty  years  of  age,  who  had  "  destroyed  much 
good,"  and  who  went  to  the  meeting  not  to  be  spirit- 
ually benefited,  but  his  heart  was  afiected  by  camp 
meeting  influences,  and,  when  he  struggled  for  mercy, 
it  was  "  strangely  warmed." 

At  a  camp  meeting,  I  recollect  a  certain  distiller,  who 
was  no  friend  to  the  Methodists,  or  Methodist  institu- 


THIRTEEN    YEARS     EXPERIENCE 


The  grove  the  best  place  to  preach  ii 


tions,  and  who  was,  at  mid-daj,  by  the  powerful  preach- 
ing of  the  Gospel,  Saiil-like,  brought  to  the  ground,  and 
who  was  not  only  killed,  but  also  made  alive.  Both  the 
persons  referred  to  have,  to  to  this  day,  proved  faithful, 
and  are  prominent  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  The  business  in  which  they  were  engaged  was 
abandoned  instanter^  they  promptly  "  ceasing  to  do  evil, 
and  learning  to  do  well."  It  is  incompatible  with  the 
spirit  of  a  child  of  Jesus  either  to  sell  or  drink  ardent 
spirits.  The  Christian  feels  the  force  of  the  passage, 
"  Woe  unto  him  that  giveth  his  neighbour  drink,  that 
puttest  thy  bottle  to  him,  and  makest  him  drunken 
also."  Dear  readers,  let  us  resolve  that  we  will  neither 
give,  sell,  nor  drink  this  article,  believing,  with  Dr.  Adam 
Clark,  "if  we  drink  it  down,  the  devil  will  drink  us 
down." 

The  grove,  when  the  weather  is  mild  and  calm,  is  the 
best  place  for  preaching  in  the  world.  I  have  known, 
from  some  cause,  preachers,  by  one  effort  at  a  camp 
meeting,  to  do  more  apparently  in  the  way  of  getting 
souls  converted,  than  they  would  accomplish  for  the 
entire  year  in  the  ordinary  way,  in  the  regular  station. 
I  believe  the  preaching  at  camp  meetings  is  better,  and 
more  effectual  than  anywhere  else.  "  The  forest  and 
the  open  heavens  are  friendly  to  the  spirit  of  devotion, 
while  the  sound  of  prayer,  of  praise  and  instruction 
from  the  pulpit,  spreads  in  open  space,  without  the  ob- 


IN    THE    ITINERANCY.  29 

Happy  death  at  a  camp  meeting. 

Btruction  of  walls,   like  the   circular  wave   on  smooth 
water." 

I  once  knew  a  Christian  sister,  so  ardently  attached 
to  this  means  of  grace,  that  she  craved  the  privilege  of 
dying  at  a  camp  meeting,  and  going  directly  from  the 
tented  grove,  the  Church  m  the  wilderness,  to  the  Church 
triumphant  in  Heaven.  She  had  years  previously  ob- 
tained, at  a  camp  meeting,  the  pardon  of  her  sins,  and 
at  the  period  of  which  I  now  speak,  her  health  was 
feeble,  so  much  so  that  her  physician  and  her  friends 
remonstrated  with  her,  and  told  her  plainly,  if  she 
went  to  the  meeting,  it  would  cost  her  her  life.  "  None 
of  these  things  moved  her."  She  went  "  in  the  strength 
of  the  Lord,"  and  felt  anxious  from  that  spot  to  ascend 
to  the  heights  of  Mount  Zion.  Her  wish  was  gratified. 
In  a  tent,  near  the  altar,  while  the  meeting  was  in  pro- 
gress, she  was  enabled  triumphantly  to  depart  and  be 
with  Christ.  She  arose  from  that  spot,  dear  to  her,  with 
Jesus,  amidst  a  shining  convoy  of  angels,  ?nd  the  shouts 
of  the  sacramental  host  around  her,  who  did  "  with  the 
spirit  and  understanding  also"  sing — 

*'  Sink  down,  ye  separating  hills, 
Let  sin  and  death  remove, 
'Tis  love  that  drives  my  chariot  wheels. 
And  death  must  yield  to  love." 

This  remarkable  occurrence  gave  new  life  to  the  meet- 
3* 


30         THIRTEEN  YEARS'  EXPERIENCE 


Let  us  encourage  camp  meetings. 


ing;  and,  doubtless,  was  the  most  eiFectual  preaching 
that  took  place  on  that  camp  ground.  If  all  were  as 
much  attached  to  camp  meetings,  as  was  the  sister 
referred  to,  ihey  could  not  fail  to  be  powerful  in  their 
results  for  good. 

Dear  readers,  much  good  has  been  accomplished  to 
saints  and  sinners,  to  our  own  and  other  churches  by- 
camp  meetings ;  and  what  has  been  done,  can  be  done 
again.  Therefore  let  us,  preachers  and  people,  wake  up 
to  this  subject.  ^'  As  a  Church  we  need  to  be  drawn  into 
clc  ..er  and  stronger  fellowship.  We  are  getting  too  cold 
and  ceremonious.  We  must  have  the  fires  of  Christian 
fellowship  replenished.  Let  us  fly  away  to  our  annual 
feast  of  tabernacles,  and  look  into  each  other's  faces  and 
press  each  other's  hands.  Let  the  rich  and  worldly  come, 
the  proud  and  those  whose  Christian  affections  have 
declined.  And  if  there  be  any  upon  whom  jealousy,  or 
envy,  or  evil  surmising,  has  begun  to  prey,  let  them  come. 
It  is  time  they  looked  upon  other  scenes,  and  came  under 
better  influences.  Let  them  come  from  the  tops  of  the 
mountains,  and  the  hill-sides ;  from  the  fertile  valley,  and 
t^e  sterile  plain ;  from  the  farm  and  shop,  the  factory 
and  the  counter ;  from  the  lonely  cot,  and  the  city 
mansion ;  the  poor  and  the  rich ;  let  them  come  up  to 
the  tented  grove,  let  them  'bow  down  and  worship 
together.' " 

I  sensibly  felt  my  insufficiency  for  the  work  of  the 


IN    THE    ITINERANCY.  31 

Ministers  ought  to  be  pastors. 

minifetry.  I  felt  that  my  efforts  in  tlie  pulpit  Tvere 
exceedinglj  feeble ;  and  did  try,  as  much  as  possible, 
to  atone  for  this  lack  of  service,  so  far  as  quality 
was  concerned  in  the  preaching,  by  holding  prayer 
meetings,  leading  class,  and  pastoral  visiting.  I 
"will  venture  to  suggest  to  my  young  brethren  in  the 
ministry,  that  it  is  not  the  better  way  to  depend 
exclusively  upon  our  preaching  for  success.  While  the 
preaching  of  the  gospel  is  the  great  instrumentality  for 
converting  the  sinner  from  the  error  of  his  ways,  it  is 
not  the  only  means  to  be  employed.  I  would  venture 
to  take  the  ground  that  "  warning  people  from  house  to 
house  with  tears,"  is  a  means  that  can  be  successfully 
employed  in  accomplishing  the  great  end  of  our  ministry, 
viz.  the  conversion  of  souls.  There  are  difficulties  in 
the  way  of  pastoral  work,  and  we  find  it  hard  to  sur- 
mount them ;  and  nothing  but  the  grace  of  God  will 
enable  us  to  enter  promiscuously  into  the  houses  of  our 
people,  and  ''warn  every  man,  and  teach  every  man" — 
not  neglecting  the  children — the  way  of  salvation.  But 
sowing  seed  thus,  an  abundant  harvest  is  reaped,  thirty, 
sixty,  a  hundred  fold.  By  pursuing  this  course  in  the 
proper  spirit,  the  people  are  impressed  with  the  feeling, 
"our  ministers  care  for  our  souls."  The  preaching 
may  be  but  ordinary,  yet  it  is  efficient,  because  the 
audience  believes  "  our  report,  and  the  arm  of  the  Lord 
is  revealed."     And  I  hesitate  not  to  say,  that  a  faithful 


32  THIRTEEN    years'    EXPERIENCE 


Assailed  by  a  dog. 


pastor,  even  with  ordinary  preaching  powers,  will  always 
have  large  congregations,  and  be  a  successfuj  minister 
of  the  New  Testament. 

I  feel  inclined  here  to  notice  a  day  spent  on  this 
Circuit  in  this  service.  It  was  in  a  portion  of  our  Circuit 
where  the  people  had  been  unaccustomed  to  this  order 
of  things ;  but,  in  nearly  every  case,  I  was  treated  well  by 
both  saint  and  sinner.  I  did  indeed  meet  with  one  family 
who  declined  to  accept  my -prayers.  I  exhorted  the 
family  to  seek  the  Lord,  and  invited  them  all  to  come  to 
church.  At  another  place  where  I  visited  that  day,  and 
the  last  I  visited  pastorally,  I  was  somewhat  alarmed 
by  a  large  mastiff,  who  made  a  strong  effort  to  bite  me 
when  I  first  went  up  to  the  house.  A  temporary 
quietus  was  put  to  him,  however,  by  the  interposition  of 
one  of  the  family.  While  I  was  seated  in  the  family, 
and  trying  to  urge  them  to  become  religious,  he  rallied, 
and  made  the  second  attempt  to  bite  me,  and  was  not 
far  from  accomplishing  his  purpose.  He  was  again 
repulsed,  and  from  the  effort  made  I  thought  he  was 
driven  off  the  plantation.  After  awhile  we  went  to 
prayer,  and,  losing  sight  of  the  dog  and  earthly  things, 
I  did  ardently  try  to  lead  the  minds  of  the  members  of 
the  family  to  the  cross,  but,  in  such  a  moment  as  I 
thought  not,  again  this  ferocious  animal  rushed  upon  me  •■ 
wdth  the  fury  of  a  lion  or  tiger,  and  his  open  red  mouth 
came  in  close  proximity  with  my  throat.     This  was  a 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  33 

Reflections  on  the  conflict  with  the  dog. 

trying  moment.  I  had  to  defend  myself  as  well  as  I 
could.  I  fouglit  him  on  my  knees ;  and  the  lady  of  the 
house  rose  from  her  devotions,  and  heroically  fought 
him  with  the  poker,  exclaiming,  "  in  the  name  of  God, 
who  ever  saw  the  like  before !"  I  passed  away,  after 
recovering  my  equilibrium  and  finishing  my  prayer, 
thanking  God  that  I  had  escaped  unhurt.  My  reflections 
were,  if  I  have  not  ''  fought  with  beasts  at  Ephesus" 
like  Paul,  I  had  fought  with  one  powerful  beast.  I  also 
reflected  that,  on  a  certain  occasion,  the  devil  was 
permitted  to  enter  into  the  swine,  and  I  concluded  that 
he  had  been  permitted  to  enter  into  this  dog,  as  he  did 
not  wish  the  family  to  desert  his  service ;  and  as  the  poet 
speaks  of  him  as 

**  Ruling  this  lower  world," 

my  readers  will  not  blame  me  for  thinking  this  wily  foe, 
who  is  capable  of  the  most  consummate  meanness,  used 
this  dog  as  an  instrument  to  rebut  the  feeble  efforts  that 
I  was  making  to  snatch  this  family  as  a  brand  out  of  the 
fire.  And  in  holy  indignation  I  said  to  him,  "  The 
Lord  rebuke  thee,  0  Satan,  even  the  Lord  that  hath 
chosen  Jerusalem  rebuke  thee." 

Our  churches  on  the  Circuit,  with  a  very  few  excep- 
tions, were  small,  and  by  no  means  sufficiently  capacious 
to  contain  the  people  who  from  every  quarter  flocked  to 
hear  the  word.   At  Banning's,  where  we  had  an  extensive 


S4  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 


Yowig  Quaker  converted.  Conduct  of  his  mother. 

revivpl,  and  Tvliere  "  much  people  were  added  unto  the 
Lord,"  it  was  necessary  to  enlarge  the  house.  This  was 
done  also  at  Purnell's  Chapel,  mainly  through  the  energy 
and  industry  of  my  much-respected  and  enterprising 
colleague,  who  was  not  only  an  excellent  minister,  but  a 
first-rate  mechanic,  and  laboured  with  his  ow^n  hands  to 
enlarge  the  places  of  worship.  At  Banning's,  particu- 
larly, God's  work  was  revived.  At  this  point  there  was, 
among  others,  a  young  Quaker  converted.  His  friends 
at  first  felt  opposed  to  this  matter,  but  they  saw  plainly 
that  he  was  under  the  influence  of  the  Holy  Spirit. 
They  saw  in  him  the  grace  of  God.  He  persevered  in 
well-doing.  The  heart  of  his  aged  mother  was  touched, 
and  she  became  so  favourably  impressed  towards  the 
Methodists  that  the  young  man  felt  free  to  invite  me  to 
his  mother's  house.  I  accepted  the  invitation,  and  was 
treated  most  afiectionately  by  this  female  Friend.  After 
sharing  in  the  hospitalities  of  the  family,  and  before 
taking  my  departure,  we  knelt  in  prayer,  the  precious 
old  lady  doing  so  likewise.  We  had  a  memorable  season, 
and  I  was  most  agreeably  diaappointed  in  hearing  the 
Quaker  lady  give  vent  to  her  feelings  in  ascriptions  of 
praise  to  "the  Lamb  of  God  that  taketh  away  the  sin 
of  the  world."  I  left  her  and  her  son  happy  in  the 
Lord.  I  feel  inclined  to  mention  a  little  circum- 
stance in  this  connexion.  When  I  was  leaving  the  Cir- 
cuit, I  accidentally  met  her  in  the  streets  of  Ca.mden, 


IN   THE    ITINERANCY.  35 

Conversion  of  Sheriff. 

and,  from  the  fulness  of  a  pious  heart,  she  accosted  me 
with  the  holy  salutation  of  primitive  Christianity.  I 
cannot  but  feel  a  warm  attachment  for  the  Friends,  many 
of  whom  have  been,  and  now  are,  bright  examples  of 
Christian  perfection. 

I  found  in  preaching  and  leading  class  for  the 
coloured  people,  which  I  did  whenever  I  had  an  oppor- 
tunity, that  on  our  Circuit  we  had  many  of  this  class 
that  were  deeply  devoted  to  God ;  and  I  could  say  with 
Peter,  "  of  a  truth  I  perceive  that  God  is  no  respecter  of 
persons :  but  in  every  nation  he  that  feareth  him,  and 
worketh  righteousness,  is  accepted  with  him."  In  one 
of  our  societies,  we  had  a  very  venerable  couple  that  had 
for  more  than  half  a  century  been  consistent  members 
of  the  church,  and  for  deep  piety  none  surpassed  them. 
They  were  esteemed  by  all.  I  used  to  visit  them  with 
much  comfort.  One  circumstance  will  show  how  highly 
they  were  thought  of.  A  gentleman  of  the  highest 
respectability  in  the  community  was  convicted,  and  earn- 
estly sought  for  pardon.  Although  he  had  the  greatest  re- 
gard for  the  ministry,  he  did  not  go  to  them  for  counsel  and 
prayer.  He  did  not  seek  to  satisfy  his  disquieted  mind  by 
observing  the  stated  forms  of  religion.  He,  in  the  solemn 
hour  of  night,  with  a  heart  '' burdened,  sick,  and  faint," 
visited  the  humble  abode  of  this  patriarchal  pair,  in  whom 
he  had  great  confidence.  The  old  folks  had  retired. 
The  gentleman  stood  at  the  door  and  knocked ;  and  the 


36  THIRTEEN   YEAlls'    EXPERIENCE 

Necessity  of  submission. 

pious  old  mother  in  Israel  said,  ^'  I  know  who  you  are ; 
I  have  been  praying  for  you.  Come  in."  He  sprang 
in,  fell  upon  his  knees,  and  cried,  "  God  be  merciful  to 
me  a  sinner."  He  was,  by  these  humble  but  faithful 
servants  of  the  Most  High  God,  prayed  for  and  instructed, 
for  they  had  been  with  Jesus  and  learned  from  him. 
And  it  was  not  very  long  before  he  could  sing, 

"  Salvation  in  abundance  flows, 
Like  floods  of  milk  and  wine." 

It  was  in  this  place  that  he  felt  that  he  was  newly  born ; 
and,  from  that  day  till  the  present  time,  he  has  "  gone  on 
his  way  rejoicing."  And,  through  time  and  in  eternity, 
while  he  gives  the  glory  of  his  salvation  to  him  "that 
cometh  from  Edom,  with  dyed  garments  from  Bozrah," 
he  will  hail  that  simple-hearted,  pious  coloured  woman 
as  the  instrument  which  was  employed  in  bringing  it 
about.  Dear  reader,  let  us  think  upon  the  foregoing 
circumstance,  and  "  humble  ourselves  in  the  sight  of  the 
Lord,  and  he  shall  lift  us  up."  When  a  penitent  reaches 
the  point  at  which  he  feels  willing  to  have  religion 
in  any  way,  or  anywhere,  he  is  not  far  from  the  kingdom. 
This  gentleman  was  at  the  time,  or  had  been,  the  high- 
sheriff  of  the  county  where  this  occurred,  and  it  did  not 
lower  him  in  the  estimation  of  anybody. 

There  was  much  interest  on  the  subject  of  religion 
at  every  appointment.     Some  sought,  but  to  this  day 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  37 

Conversion  of  a  sea  captain. 

they  have  not  found.  The  reason  is,  those  precious  souls 
have  not  been  mindful  of  the  direction,  "  consecrate 
yourselves  to-day  to  the  Lord."  For,  when  this  is  fully 
done,  we  shall,  in  every  case,  be  accepted  of  the  Lord. 
Many,  however,  did  so,  during  the  year  on  Frederica — 
my  first  Circuit ;  and  perhaps  no  man,  that  I  had  the 
pleasure  of  seeing  converted  to  God,  did  then  enjoy 
himself  more  than  a  noble-hearted  sea  captain,  who 
was  enabled  to  step  on  board  the  "  old  ship  Zion."  Talk 
with  him  about  the  voyage,  his  prospects,  &c.  He  will 
tell  you  there  is  land  ahead ;  and  he  hopes  safely,  after 
awhile,  to  get  over  the  bar,  though  the  breakers  may  run 
mountain  high,  and  he  may  receive  a  stroke  which  will 
shiver  all  his  timbers,  start  every  bolt,  and  open  every 
seam.  I  would  say,  cheer  up,  ship-mate,  for  the  next 
sea  will  float  you  high  over  all. 

"  The  rougher  the  blast, 
,  The  sooner  'tis  past ; 

The  tempests  that  rise 
Shall  gloriously  hurry  us  home  to  the  skies." 

At  length  the  time  came  for  me  to  take  my  departure. 
The  Quarterly  Conference  recommended  me  to  the 
Annual  Conference,  so  far  as  I  know,  unanimously.  I 
found  it  one  of  the  greatest  trials  of  my  life,  up  to  that 
time,  to  sever  my  connexion  from  the  kind  friends  of 
Frederica  Circuit,  with  whom  I  had  spent  so  pleasantly 


38  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

Received  on  trial  in  the  Philadelphia  Conference. 

the  first  year  in  my  new  relation.  But  then  I  did  not 
murmur,  nor  since  have  I  ever  complained,  at  our  itine- 
rant sytem,  which,  I  believe,  is  Christ-like  and  apostolic  ; 
and  every  one  can  see  its  adaptation  to  the  world  at  large, 
but  particularly  to  our  own  country.  "We  go  forth 
weeping,  bearing  precious  seed;"  but  we  "shall  doubtless 
come  again  with  rejoicing,  bringing  our  sheaves  with  us." 


CHAPTER  11. 

Received  by  the  Pliiladelphia  Conference — Rev.  Joseph  Lybrand — 
Funeral  Sermon  of  Bishop  Ptoberts — Sent  to  Ceutreville  Circuit — 
Rev.  James  Allen — Liberality  of  Ebenezer  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  Philadelphia — Should  decently  bury  our  Dead — Bishop 
Whatcoat's  happy  Death — His  Remains — Anecdote  of  James  Hop- 
kins— Rev.  Solomon  Sharp  casts  out  the  Devil — Anecdote  of  him  on 
leaving  an  Appointment — He  cures  a  penurious  Class  Leader — Rev. 
Dr.  Roberts'  prophecies — A  revolutionary  Soldier  converted — An 
interesting  Youth  called  as  Samuel — End  of  a  young  Sabbath 
Breaker — Bad  Company  leads  to  Ruin — Kindness  to  coloured  People 
— Major  Massey — Funeral  Sermons — Ministers  need  Encouragement 
— Novel  Means  for  converting  a  Soul — New  Church  dedicated — 
Institution  for  the  Poor  well  managed. 

IN  1843,  at  the  Conference  held  in  Trinity  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  Philadelphia,  I  was  received,  with 
several  other  young  preachers,  on  trial.  To  this  class 
of  brethren  I  became  ardently  attached.    The  examina- 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  39 

Rev.  Joseph  Lybrand. 

tions  for  four  years  continuously  brought  us  together, 
and  caused  us  to  be  intimately  acquainted.  Several  of 
the  class  had  a  short,  but,  I  trust,  useful  career ;  at  least 
three  of  them  have  crossed  over  Jordan,  into  Canaan, 
brothers  Campbell,  Titus,  and  Ray.  The  residue  of  us 
are  scattered  broad-cast  over  the  land.  One  is  now  in 
South  America,  as  a  missionary — Rev.  G.  D.  Carrow. 
May  his  health  and  life,  and  the  health  and  lives  of  his 
family,  be  spared  !  And  after  we  shall  have  done  battle 
in  the  service  of  the  King  of  kings,  may  we  all  be  vic- 
tors, and  our  class  of  the  spring  of  1843  hear  it  said,  in 
each  case,  "Well  done,  good  and  faithful  servant!" 

With  no  circumstance,  which  took  place  at  this  Con- 
ference, was  my  heart  more  affected  than  with  the  speech 
made  by  the  lamented  Joseph  Lybrand,  upon  retiring 
from  the  effective  ranks.  He  had,  from  his  boyhood, 
been  connected  with  this  body,  starting  when  he  was 
about  eighteen  years  of  age.  Perhaps  no  man  had  fewer 
faults  or  fewer  enemies ;  his  character  was  untarnished, 
and  now  that  he  sleeps  in  death,  it  may  be  said,  with  the 
utmost  propriety,  he  has  left  to  his  children  the  legacy 
of  "  a  good  name,  which  is  better  than  precious  oint- 
ment." He  filled  many  of  the  most  important  appoint- 
ments in  the  Conference,  and  always  with  the  greatest 
acceptability  and  profit  to  the  Church.  In  the  office  of 
Presiding  Elder  he  was  pre-eminently  useful.  He  was 
comparatively  a  young  man,  too,  when  placed  in  this 


40  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 


Rev.  Josci>h  Lybrand's  last  text. 


position  jfirst,  but  all  felt  that  he  was  mindful  of  the 
direction  of  the  a^DOstle,  "  Let  no  man  despise  thy 
youth,"  for  he  certainly  was  "an  example  of  the  be- 
lievers in  word,  in  conversation,  in  charity,  in  spirit,  in 
faith,  in  purity."  His  quarterly  visitations  on  the  dis- 
trict were  anxiously  looked  for,  and  the  whole  community 
felt  it  a  high  privilege  to  listen  to  his  burning  words, 
which  were  eloquently  spoken,  and  proved  to  be  "  like 
apples  of  gold  in  pictures  of  silver."  Such  a  man,  re- 
tiring from  the  regular  work,  made  an  impression.  He 
took  his  relation  of  supernumerary  amidst  the  sobs  and 
gushing  tears  of  his  brethren  in  the  ministry,  after  deli- 
vering an  interesting  address  to  the  Conference  ;  closing 
his  remarks  by  saying,  "  If  I  could  have  my  choice,  I 
could  desire — 

'  My  body  with  my  charge  to  lay  down, 
And  cease  at  once  to  work  and  live.'  " 

He  did  not  long  live  after  this  relation  was  taken,  but 
long  enough  to  see  one  of  his  sons  join  his  own  beloved 
Conference.  This  son,  like  his  revered  parent,  is  greatly 
esteemed  for  his  many  excellent  traits  of  character,  and 
he  promises  much  usefulness  to  the  Church.  Thus  were 
the  words  of  Charles  Wesley  fulfilled,  ''  The  workmen 
die,  but  the  work  goes  on."  The  last  sermon  he  ever 
preached  was  in  Harrisburg,  Pa.,  April  2,  1843.  His 
text  was,  "  And  the  very  God  of  peace  sanctify  you 
wholly,"  &c.     The  last  words  he  uttered  were  addressed 


IN   THE    ITINERANCY.  41 

Funeral  sermon  of  Bishop  Roberts.  Bishop  Emory. 

to  his  companion,  as  follows :  "  Last  night  I  had  sweet 
and  precious  communion  with  God,  and  now  I  close  my 
eyes  to  sleep,  hoping  that,  sleeping  or  waking,  my 
thoughts  will  be  of  Him,  and  with  Him."  He  calmly 
sunk  to  sleep  in  Jesus,  April  24,  1845. 

*'  0  may  I  triumph  so, 

When  all  my  warfare's  past, 
And,  dying,  find  my  latest  foe 
Beneath  my  feet  at  last." 

The  Conference  was  a  pleasant  one.  Several  of  the 
Bishops  were  present,  viz.,  Bishops  Hedding,  Waugh, 
and  Morris.  The  funeral  sermon  of  Bishop  Roberts, 
who  had  recently  died,  was  preached,  by  request  of  the 
Conference,  in  St.  George's  Church,  by  the  venerable 
Bishop  Hedding.  It  was  a  weeping,  memorable  time. 
Thank  God !  all  of  our  Bishops  that  have  died  a  natural 
death,  have  been  victorious,  through  the  blood  of  the 
Lamb.  Bishop  Emory  was  thrown  from  his  carriage, 
and  never  spoke  afterwards,  but  his  life  entitles  us  to 
the  belief  that  he,  too,  rests  in  Abraham's  bosom.  Is 
not  this  a  high  commendation  ?  Our  Church  has  always 
been  blessed  with  excellent  men  in  the  episcopacy. 
Dr.  Emory  had  preaching  talent  of  a  high  order.  He 
was,  before  elected  to  the  episcopacy,  sent,  as  a  delegate 
from  our  General  Conference,  to  the  British  Conference, 
and  before  that  august  body  preached  a  sermon  replete 

4^- 


42  THIRTEEN    years'    EXPERIENCE 

Rev.  James  Allen. 

with  Jesus  Christ  and  him  crucified.  After  the  sermon 
was  concluded,  the  great  Adam  Clark  addressed  Mr. 
Emory  as  follows :  "Is  that  the  doctrine  you  preach  in 
America?"  The  American  minister  replied,  "Yes,  sir, 
that's  the  doctrine."  "  Then,"  said  Dr.  Clark,  "  that's 
the  doctrine  that  will  take  the  world." 

My  appointment  was  read  out  for  Centreville  Circuit. 
I  was  much  cast  down  at  this.  I  knew  the  people  were 
very  intelligent,  none  more  so,  perhaps,  in  our  work.  I 
knew  there  were  other  denominations,  and  there  must  be 
considerable  competition  in  that  place,  and  I  feared  and 
trembled,  and  did  not  feel  sufficient  for  these  things.  I 
was  much  relieved  in  my  mind  by  the  kindness  of  Rev. 
James  Allen,  the  preacher  in  charge,  who,  the  night 
the  Conference  closed,  showed  me  :auch  respect  and 
affection;  and  the  spirit  that  characterized  him  then, 
continued  through  all  our  period  of  sojourn  together, 
as  fellow-labourers  in  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord.  He 
was  a  colleague  much  to  be  desired  by  any  young 
preacher — willing  and  able  to  instruct.  At  his  house  his 
colleague  always  had  a  pleasant  home,  always  received 
a  cordial  welcome,  both  on  his  part  and  on  the  part  of 
his  family.  Rev.  James  Allen  was  a  man  of  more  than 
ordinary  preaching  abilities  ;  he  was  a  strong  Methodist, 
and  competent  to  defend  the  doctrines  and  polity  of  the 
Church  of  his  choice.  A  man  of  studious  habits,  and, 
considering  that  his  early  advantages  were  limited,  the 


IN    THE    ITIXERANCY.  43 


Liberality  of  Ebenezer  Church. 


amount  of  information  which  he  possessed  was  remarka- 
ble. His  aim  was  to  be  useful;  he  was  abundant  in 
labours.  He  never  missed  an  appointment,  however  hum- 
ble it  was.  He  was  ready  to  go  to  a  week-day  appoint- 
ment ;  he  was  ready,  whenever  an  opportunity  offered,  to 
preach  the  Gospel  to  the  people  of  colour.  And  he 
would  not  allow  his  colleague  to  outstrip  him  in  pastoral 
visiting,  or  in  any  other  respect.  But  God,  in  his  pro- 
vidence, saw  fit  to  call  this  useful  mhiister,  in  the  prime 
of  his  days,  from  the  walls  of  Zion,  while  pastor  of  the 
Ebenezer  station,  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  in  the 
summer  of  1850.  Rev.  James  Allen,  like  most  of  his 
brethren  in  the  ministry,  had  not  much  of  this  world's 
goods.  He  left  a  widow  and  several  children.  And  be 
it  spoken  to  the  credit  of  this  weeping  Church,  sister 
Allen  was  requested  to  occupy  the  Parsonage  till  the 
ensuing  Conference,  a  period  of  about  seven  months, 
and  receive  the  salary  which  had  been  estimated  for  him. 
A  single  man  was  chosen.  Rev.  H.  F.  Hurn,  to  fill  the 
vacancy,  till  the  Conference  should  convene  the  following 
spring.  A  thousand  dollars  was  also  raised  by  this 
noble  church,  and  appropriated  to  her  and  her  children. 
The  church  further  manifested  their  attachment  to  my 
dear  friend,  by  burying  him  in  front  of  their  church 
edifice,  and  erecting  over  his  remains  a  beautiful  marble 
monument.  How  commendable  !  The  patriarchs  attached 
much  importance  to  the  burial  of  their  dead  properly, 


44  THIRTEEN    years'    EXPERIENCE 


Bishop  Whatcoat. 


and  did  not  spare  expense.  It  is  a  matter  of  grief  to 
me  that  so  little  attention  is  paid  to  this  subject  by  many 
at  the  present  day.  No  stone,  nor  hardly  a  hillock  of 
grass,  to  mark  the  spot  where  the  dust  of  some  flaming 
herald  of  salvation  rests !  And  there  are  those  who 
abound  in  wealth,  and  allow  the  family  grave-yard  to  be 
neglected,  not  even  an  enclosure  to  protect  the  graves 
of  their  sires  from  being  trampled  upon  by  horses,  cattle, 
hogs,  &c.  In  regard,  however,  to  those  who  have  slept 
in  Jesus,  they  are  not  forgotten  by  Him 

"  Who  "watches  all  their  dust, 
Till  he  shall  bid  it  rise." 

On  this  subject  allow  me  to  call  especial  attention  to 
the  course  pursued  in  this  matter  by  Abraham,  and  I 
refer  my  readers  to  the  twenty-third  chapter  of  the  book 
of  Genesis. 

I  was  greatly  gratified  with  the  course  recently 
pursued  by  our  lay  brethren  in  Dover,  Delaware,  and 
the  members  of  the  Philadelphia  Annual  Conference,  in 
reference  to  the  remains  of  Rev.  Richard  Whatcoat,  the 
third  Bishop  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  who 
finished  his  course  in  that  town,  at  the  house  of  Richard 
Basset,  Esq.,  a  prominent  citizen,  and  afterwards  the 
Governor  of  Delaware.  The  end  of  Bishop  Whatcoat, 
which  took  place  the  6th  of  June,  1806,  was  peaceful, 
and  his  last  night  was  spent  in  prayer  and  praise.  He 
frequently  prayed  to  the  Lord  in  this  time  of  need,  and 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  45 

Remains  of  the  Bishops. 

"was  often  heard  during  the  night  to  exclaim,  "Bless  the 
Lord  !  Bless  the  Lord  !"  A  murmur  never  escaped  his 
lips.  A  dear  servant  of  God,  and  a  friend  of  mine, 
Thomas  Stevenson,  Esq.,  who  still  lives,  has  informed 
me  that  he  was  with  him  the  last  night  he  lived,  and 
though  it  was  a  most  solemn  time  (for  there  was  a 
corpse  in  the  house),  ''it  was,"  says  he,  "the  happiest 
night  I  ever  experienced."  His  remains  were  deposited 
immediately  under  the  altar  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  of  that  place.  His  funeral  sermon  was  preached 
by  Kev.  Dr.  Chandler.  Great  respect  was  shown  to 
this  valuable  minister,  though  a  stranger  in  a  strange 
land.  A  slab  of  marble,  with  an  appropriate  inscription, 
was  inserted  in  the  wall  of  the  church,  to  mark  the  spot 
where  he  rested. 

The  brethren  and  friends  of  our  Church,  in  the  city 
of  Baltimore,  have  with  them  the  remains  of  Bishop 
Asbury,  Bishop  Emory,  and  Bishop  George,  and  by 
Baltimorians,  of  course,  who  are  ready  for  every  good 
word  and  work  (where  Methodism  is  strong  and  second 
to  none  on  earth  in  quality),  due  respect  has  been  shown 
to  these  apostolic  men.  To  visit  their  resting-places,  and 
Bee  the  attention  that  has  been  paid,  one  would  be  ready 
to  conclude,  these  friends  have  paid  attention  to  the 
teaching  of  the  word,  which  directs  that  we  should  "  not 
love  in  word,  neither  in  tongue ;  but  in  deed  and  in 
truth."    Their  arrangements  being  made  for  the  remains 


46  THIRTEEN   years'    EXPERIENCE 

Bishop  Whatcoat's  monument.  Rev.  John  S.  Taylor. 

of  the  deceased  Bishops,  they  nobly — a  few  years  since — 
asked  the  brethren  in  Dover,  and  also  the  Philadelphia 
Conference,  the  privilege  of  removing  the  remains  of 
Bishop  Whatcoat  to  that  spot.  We  appreciated  their 
kindness,  but  felt  compelled  to  answer  in  the  negative ; 
both  laymen  and  ministers  desiring  that  the  rest  of  this 
servant  of  God  should  not  be  disturbed,  "  till  waked  by  the 
trumpet's  sound."  We  covet  the  privilege  of  rising  with 
him  in  the  resurrection  morn.  As  he  had  laboured  in 
that  region  and  died  there,  and  as  he  was  on  his  way  to 
attend  the  Philadelphia  Conference,  we  conjointly  feel 
it  a  great  privilege  to  retain  his  remains ;  and  since  the 
old  church  in  Dover  has  been  demolished,  and  a  new 
one  built  in  the  central  part  of  the  town,  a  monument 
has  been  erected  over  this  conquering  soldier  of  the 
cross,  that  is  not  surpassed  in  neatness  and  durability 
by  any  monument  erected  over  the  remains  of  any  officer 
of  our  Army  or  Navy,  who  may  have  distinguished 
himself  for  military  prowess.  We  Avill  not  neglect, 
readers,  those,  in  death,  who  have,  in  life,  heroically  led 
us  on  to  victory. 

I  now  have  on  my  mind  a  faithful  leader  in  our 
Israel,  who  fell  near  Salisbury,  Maryland,  a  few  years 
since.  His  remains  were  disinterred,  and  conveyed  to 
the  ''Bethel  Methodist  Episcopal  Churchyard,"  in  Cecil 
county,  Maryland,  near  the  Delaware  line,  where  he 
sleeps  quietly  with  Rev.  Lawrence  Laurenson,  and  others 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  47 

Anecdote  of  Mr.  Taylor, 

of  precious  memory.  This  servant  of  God  was  respected 
in  life,  and  in  his  death  and  burial  not  neglected.  Too 
much  credit,  however,  cannot  be  ascribed  to  his  two 
affectionate  children,  who  regarded  it,  to  my  certain 
knowledge,  as  no  little  pleasure,  and  honour  also,  to 
thus  respect  their  deceased  father.  Children,  love  your 
parents.  This  faithful  man  was  not  only  beloved  by 
his  children,  but  by  all  who  knew  him — his  praise  was 
in  all  the  churches.  He  had  seals  to  his  ministry  in 
every  field  of  labour  he  occupied.  I  refer  to  Rev.  John 
S.  Taylor,  of  the  Philadelphia  Conference.  His  labours 
and  usefulness  in  Bethel  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
Philadelphia,  will  never  be  forgotten.  He  was  the 
means  of  the  building  of  that  church.  He  there  laid  the 
foundation  of  his  disease  and  death,  by  his  abundant 
labours.  He  was  admirably  adapted  to  the  sons  of  the 
ocean — his  influence  over  them  was  almost  unbounded. 
He  could,  however,  not  only  give  satisfaction  to  this 
important  class  of  society,  but  his  practical,  earnest, 
and  experimental  manner  of  preaching,  made  him 
acceptable  in  any  sphere.  I  will  give  one  instance. 
While  he  was  pastor  of  Mariner's  Bethel,  Rev.  Levi 
Scott  (now  Bishop)  was  Presiding  Elder  of  the  South 
Philadelphia  District.  It  so  happened  that  the  Elder 
could  not,  for  some  good  causes,  attend  one  of  his 
Quarterly  Meetings  in  a  remote  part  of  his  district. 
Brother  Taylor  was  earnestly  requested  by  the  Elder, 


48  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

Bo  in  time  for  family  devotion. 

to  go  in  liis  place  and  hold  the  Quarterly  Meeting. 
He  did  so,  greatly  to  the  satisfaction  and  admiration  of 
the  people.  It  was  in  the  time  of  the  war  with  Mexico. 
In  that  war  the  names  of  Scott  and  Taylor  were  con- 
spicuous. The  delighted  people  sent  word  to  the  Elder 
to  this  effect,  "When  General  Scott  can't  come,  General 
Taylor  will  do  just  as  well !"  Mr.  Taylor  died  in  great 
peace,  August  21,  1849,  in  the  44th  year  of  his  age. 

Kent  Island  was  to  me  a  deeply  interesting  part  of 
our  Circuit.  We  had  two  regular  preaching  places  on 
the  island.  We  preached  on  Saturdays  at  Father  James 
Hopkins's.  This  was  an  old  appointment,  and  Father  and 
Mother  Hopkins  were  amongst  the  oldest  of  our  mem- 
bership. I  was  told  of  a  circumstance  about  him  that 
made  me  restless  the  first  few  times  I  stayed  there.  The 
old  gentleman  was  in  the  habit  of  praying  with  the  en- 
tire family,  coloured  as  well  as  white,  and  it  was  requi- 
site to  hold  morning  prayers  as  early  as  possible,  so  that 
the  hands,  at  the  proper  time,  could  go  to  their  work. 
A  minister,  of  very  high  standing,  spent  a  night  there, 
and  it  so  happened  that  he  did  not  rise  till  the  sun  was 
marching  on  his  course.  When  he  descended  from  the 
bed-chamber,  he  was  asked  to  breakfast.  Said  the  minis- 
ter, "  We  will,  if  you  please,  have  a  word  of  prayer 
first."  Whereupon  the  good  old  gentleman  replied,  "1 
have  had  prayers,  but  if  you  don't  think  it  was  done 
well,  you  can  do  it  over  again."     I  did  fear  that  I,  too, 


IN   «aE   ITINEEANCY.  49 

Rev.  Solomon  Sharp. 

might  oversleep  myself,  and  not  be  in  time  to  join  in  the 
devotions  cf  the  family.  But  this  was  never  the  case  in 
a  single  instance,  and  I  had  the  pleasure  of  being  chap- 
lain to  that  house  whenever  it  was  my  happy  privilege 
to  sojourn  with  them.  In  whatever  other  respects  I  may 
have  been  blameable,  I  feel  a  clear  conscience  in  this  re- 
spect throughout  my  itinerant  life.  Dear  young  brethren 
in  the  ministry,  let  us  endeavour  not  to  sleep  at  our  post. 
Much  is  to  be  accomplished  in  the  devotions  of  the  fami- 
lies where  we  sojourn,  if  those  devotions  are  performed 
at  the  proper  time,  and  in  the  right  way.  And  may  I 
be  permitted  to  suggest  that  the  time  thus  spent  is  not 
lost,  either  to  us  or  to  the  families  in  which  we  may  offi- 
ciate. Read  God's  holy  Word,  sing  one  of  the  songs  of 
Zion,  and  devoutly  pray.  The  effects  will  accompany 
us  throughout  the  day.  Every  minister  that  faithfully 
carries  out  the  directions  here  given,  will,  in  my  humble 
opinion,  "  cast  bread  upon  the  waters,  and  find  it  after 
many  days." 

On  the  island  we  frequently  heard  of  Rev.  Solomon 
Sharp,  although  many  years  had  passed  away  since  he 
laboured  in  that  region.  But  there,  as  elsewhere,  he 
"made  his  mark."  Probably  it  will  not  be  out  of  place 
to  relate  an  incident  that  occurred  on  this  island,  and 
with  which  he  was  prominently  connected.  He  preached 
at  a  private  house  on  a  certain  day.  Much  divine  influ- 
ence attended  the  preaching.     The  congregation  was,  at 


50  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

Mr.  Sharp  casts  out  a  devil. 

the  proper  time,  dismissed.  One  ladj,  who  was  power- 
fully wrougiit  upon,  remained  in  the  greatest  distress, 
and,  writhing  in  agony  of  soul,  her  body  was  convulsed, 
her  face  the  picture  of  despair.  Kev.  Solomon  Sharp 
drew  near  to  her.  She  exclaimed,  in  a  sepulchral  tone, 
"You  are  a  pretty  preacher  of  the  Gospel!"  This 
flaming  minister  of  Christ,  this  "  true  successor  of  the 
apostles"  who  were  empowered  to  cast  out  devils,  said 
(for  he  believed  it  was  Diabolus  himself  that  uttered  the 
words),  "  Yes,  you  know  I  am  a  preacher  of  the  ever- 
lasting Gospel  of  God,  and  I  command  you  to  come  out 
of  her."  And  to  the  day  of  his  death,  he  believed  that 
it  was  the  devil  in  her,  that  she  was  diabolically  pos- 
sessed, and  that  he  plainly  saw,  with  his  bodily  eyes,  the 
evil  one  go  out  of  her  at  his  command ;  and  as  he  passed 
out  of  the  door,  Mr.  Sharp  said,  "  Sneak  off,  to  your 
native  hell."  The  lady  was  truly  happy,  and  "  longing 
hopes  and  cheerful  smiles  sat  undisturbed  upon  her 
brow." 

I  knew,  when  I  travelled  here,  two  venerable  men 
that  were  boys  at  the  time  this  occurred,  and  they  were 
both  present.  They  did  not  tell  me  that  they  saw  the 
devil,  but  they  did  give  me  the  other  facts  above  related, 
and  stated,  that  this  minister  of  Christ  was  known  all 
over  the  island  and  county  as,  '^Solomon  Shariy,  the 
devil-driver.'^ 

My  first  colleague,  Rev.  William  Connelly,  told  me 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  51 

Anecdotes  of  Mr.  Sharp. 

that  he  often  heard  Father  Sharp  refer  to  this  incident, 
and  there  are  now  many  living  witnesses  to  the  fact, 
that  he  never  wavered  in  his  belief  that  this  was  a  case 
of  demoniacal  possession,  or  that  God  gave  him  power  on 
that  occasion  to  carry  out  the  command,  "  Cast  out 
devils." 

Mr.  Sharp  was,  by  no  means,  an  ordinary  preacher. 
He  was  a  man  of  prominence.  He  filled  the  office  of 
Presiding  Elder  for  several  years,  and  occupied  some  of 
the  most  important  stations  in  the  Philadelphia  Con- 
ference. He  was  a  very  ready  and  rather  witty  man. 
I  will,  to  illustrate  this  position,  relate  a  circumstance 
connected  with  his  leaving  a  certain  appointment,  the 
conference  year  having  expired.  Said  he,  when  about 
closing  the  last  sermon  in  that  charge,  "  Brethren  and 
sisters,  this  is  the  last  sermon,  in  all  probability,  I  shall 
ever  preach  for  you."  One  in  the  congregation  replied 
in  an  audible  manner,  "I  am  glad  of  it!"  To  which 
Mr.  Sharp  replied,  "Yes,  and  so  is  your  father,  the 
devil,  also  glad  of  it."  At  an  appointment  on  a  Circuit 
he  travelled,  there  was  a  class  leader  who  was  somewhat 
notorious  for  being  timid  relative  to  collecting  class 
money.  He  believed  in  keeping  the  preacher  poor,  and 
seemed  to  think  that  this  would  keep  him  humble.  And 
for  these  reasons,  and  also  for  fear  of  destroying  tlie 
spirituality  of  the  society,  he  seldom  mentioned  the  sub- 
ject of  quarterage.     Are  there  not  some  in  our  Israel 


THIRTEEN   YEARS     EXPERIENCE 


Author's  first  opinion  of  ministers. 


too  mucli  like  him  ?  But  this  dass  leader  was  proverbial 
for  praying  for  the  preachers.  Father  Sharp  was  made 
acquainted  with  his  character,  and  went  to  his  first 
appointment,  prepared  to  administer  to  him  a  reproof. 
At  the  close  of  the  class  the  minister  called  on  the 
leader  to  pray,  and  he  very  ardently  proceeded  in  this 
good  work.  He  soon  began  to  invoke  God's  blessing 
upon  the  ministers ;  especially  he  prayed,  "  Lord  bless 
Father  Sharp,  and  give  him  many  souls  for  his  hire." 
To  this  petition  this  servant  of  God  responded,  "  Amen  ! 
Amen ! !  Amen ! ! !  but  thou  knowest,  0  Lord,  that  Father 
Sharp  cannot  live  on  human  souls."  So  we  see  he  was 
apostolic  in  this  respect  as  well  as  in  other  particulars, 
and  was  ready  to  say,  in  relation  to  himself  and  his 
brethren  in  the  work  of  the  ministry,  "If  we  have 
sown  unto  you  spiritual  things,  is  it  a  great  thing  if  we 
should  reap  your  carnal  things?"  I  was  credibly  in- 
formed that  the  result  was,  that  that  class  leader  never 
failed  afterwards  to  have  his  quarterage  ready  to  go  into 
the  hands  of  the  stewards  at  the  proper  time. 

I  heard  him  once  preach  when  I  was  a  very  small 
boy,  at  a  camp  meeting.  His  dress  was  remarkably 
plain,  his  hair  was  long,  and  whitened  by  the  frosts  of 
many  winters,  and  hung  in  ringlets  down  to  his 
shoulders.  His  effort  had  a  signal  effect,  and  many 
fell  under  his  powerful  appeals.  The  ministers  in  the 
stand  were  greatly  moved.     I  did  not  then  comprehend 


IN    THE   ITINERANCY,  53 

Selling  religious  books  an  appropriate  work  of  ministers. 

these  things.  I  saw  persons  borne  off  from  the  aisle 
apparently  dead.  I  was  then  six  or  seven  years  of  age, 
and  my  childish  conclusion  was,  these  men  have  caught 
their  souls;  and  the  first  name  I  ever  applied  to 
Methodist  ministers,  and  it  was  done  sincerely,  was, 
"  &oul  Catchers  !"  I  did  not  miss  in  this  matter  greatly, 
for  we  must  be  "  fishers  of  men."  May  we  be  Divinely 
assisted  in  our  work,  and  "  get  the  net  on  the  right  side 
of  the  ship,"  and  catch  a  "great  multitude  of"  souls. 

"  They  watch  for  souls  for  -which  the  Lord 
Did  heavenly  bliss  forego, 
For  souls  which  must  for  ever  live 
In  raptures  or  in  woe." 

This  ardent  labourer  in  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord  was 
ready  to  do  good  in  every  possible  way.  He  heeded 
the  rule,  "  See  that  each  society  is  duly  supplied  with 
books."  This  is  an  excellent  plan  for  accomplishing 
good  in  our  circuits  and  stations,  and  it  does  not  appear 
to  my  mind  that  this  will,  in  the  least  degree,  lower  the 
dignity  of  the  ministerial  office,  properly  managed.  I 
hope  I  may  never  be  guilty  of  anything  more  incom- 
patible with  the  spirit  of  the  Gospel.  As  Paul  said  to 
young  Timothy,  "  Give  attendance  to  reading,"  so  should 
we  say  to  our  people,  especially  to  our  young  people,  as 
by  this  means  they  would  be  able  to  "  add  to  their  faith 
knowledge." 

For  more  than  forty  years  Mr.  Sharp  was  a  travelling 


54       THIRTEEN  yeahs'  experience 

Tho  danger  of  procrastination. 

preacher,  starting  when  he  was  only  twenty  years  of 
age.  He  died  in  his  sixty-fifth  year,  at  Smyrna,  Dela- 
ware, on  the  13th  of  March,  1836.  His  last  sermon,  a 
short  time  before  his  death,  was  upon  Heb.  iv.  9,  on  the 
rest  that  remains  to  the  people  of  God.  He  was  very 
happy,  and  was  heard  to  say,  ^'  Now  I  feel  as  if  my 
work  was  done."  Only  a  little  time  elapsed  before  sud- 
denly his  soul  fled  to  a  Land  of  Spirits  bright.  He  died 
of  asthma. 

Our  quarterly  camp  meeting  was  held  on  this  part 
of  our  Circuit,  a  gentleman  of  another  chui'ch  kindly 
furnishing  us  the  ground  gratis.  May  the  Lord  reward 
him  !  The  meeting  was  a  blessing  to  scores,  I  may  say 
hundreds.  We  were  favoured  with  the  efficient  services 
of  Rev.  Dr.  Roberts,  of  Baltimore,  and  other  strong 
men  in  Israel.  As  Rev.  Dr.  Roberts  concluded  one  of 
his  sermons,  which  was  productive  of  the  happiest  re- 
sults, among  others  pungently  convicted  was  an  aged, 
respectable  gentleman.  He  shed  tears  freely.  We  all 
tried  to  induce  him  to  yield  to  the  powers  of  love,  and 
consecrate  himself  that  day  unto  the  service  of  God. 
He  hesitated.  He  was  almost  persuaded  to  become  a 
Christian,  but  entreated  us  to  excuse  him  on  that  occa- 
sion. The  Doctor  said,  "  That  man  of  age,  if  he  refuses 
this  call,  I  fear  seriously  will  go  home  and  die,  and  never 
have  another  call."  Those  words  were  too  true.  In  two 
weeks  after  my  colleague  and  myself  performed  for  him 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  55 

Pvevolutionary  soldier  converted. 

funeral  services,  and  saw  him  lowered  into  the  cold  grave. 
He  earnestly  prayed  on  his  dying  bed,  and  enlisted  all 
the  help  that  he  could.  He  had  a  faithful  coloured  ser- 
vant, who  plead  earnestly  at  the  throne  of  grace  in  be- 
half of  his  master,  who  was  in  the  agonies  of  death. 
Many  at  that  camp  meeting  heard  their  last  sermon, 
received  their  last  call  from  the  sacred  desk.  The  au- 
tumn that  followed  was  very  sickly,  and  deathly  too. 
Seeing  persons  dying,  in  a  few  weeks  after  meeting  them 
at  such  a  place,  led  us  to  say,  with  deepest  feeling,  ''  If 
thou  hadst  known,  even  thou,  in  this  thy  day,  the  things 
that  belong  to  thy  peace !  but  now  they  are  hid  from 
thine  eyes." 

Rev.  W.  H.  Elliot  was  with  us  at  this  deeply  inter- 
esting camp.  He  was  then,  as  he  always  has  been  since, 
and  now  is,  a  zealous,  faithful  minister  of  the  Gospel. 
It  is  said,  '•'•  A  prophet  is  not  without  honour  save  in  his 
own  country."  This  worthy  brother  was  raised  here, 
he  was  at  home,  yet  we  found  him  acceptable  among  all 
the  people,  and  his  labours  were  owned  of  God.  Among 
those  who  were  awakened  through  his  ministrations  was 
a  very  aged  person,  who  had  fought  in  the  Revolutionary 
War,  under  the  immortal  Washington.  He  was  one  of 
the  few  who  live  to  be  fourscore,  and  his  faculties  seemed 
perfect.  He  was  a  little  trembling  in  his  limbs,  and 
when  I  saw  him  kneel  at  the  altar,  there  were  probably 
one  hundred  and  fifty  others,  at  the  same  time,  bending 


56  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

Frederick  Carter  called  like  Samuel. 

tlie  suppliant  knee.  I  was  afraid  that  this  aged  person 
would  be  trampled  upon,  and,  the  preaching  being  over, 
I  had  him  removed  up  into  the  stand,  where  we  tried  pro- 
perly to  instruct  him,  and  pray  for  him.  It  was  not 
long  before  he  obtained  victory  over  the  devil,  and  felt 
that  he  was  set  free  by  the  Son  of  God,  and  was  free 
indeed.  Then,  though  at  a  late  period  in  life,  he  en- 
listed in  the  "  good  fight."  After  we  pass  a  certain  age, 
earthly  armies  decline  to  receive  us  as  soldiers.  I  am 
thankful  that  this  regulation  does  not  characterize  the 
spiritual  conflict,  in  which  we  may  all  engage— young 
and  old — without  respect  to  circumstances.  But  it  is 
lamentably  true  that  very  few  old  persons  avail  them^ 
selves  of  this  privilege.     This  is  a  rare  case  ! 

I  desire  to  present  to  my  readers  the  case  of  an  in 
teresting  youth :  his  name  was  Frederick.  He  was  seri- 
ously impressed  on  the  subject  of  religion,  but  the  time 
came  for  him  to  return  to  his  home,  which  was  some  fif- 
teen miles  down  the  island.  When  he  reached  home, 
the  family  generally  were  absent,  having  also  been  in 
attendance  at  the  camp  meeting,  and  had  not  yet  reached 
home.  Home  appeared  to  Frederick  for  the  first  time 
cheerless,  and  while  he  was  reflecting  and  meditating  on 
matters  appertaining  to  the  salvation  of  his  soul,  a  voice, 
apparently  proceeding  from  the  barn,  fell  upon  his  ear, 
and  reached,  with  great  eS'ect,  his  young  and  tender 
heart.     The  words  that  he  supposed  he  heard  were, 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  57 


Encourage  piety  in  your  children. 


"Frederick !  Frederick ! !  Frederick  ! ! !  go  back,  and  seek 
religion  this  night."  The  sun  had  hid  himself  behind 
the  western  hills.  Nevertheless,  this  youth  felt  that  the 
call  was  from  Heaven,  and,  like  young  Samuel,  he  was 
determined  to  hearken  to  it !  He  deliberately  saddled 
his  horse,  and  started  for  the  meeting.  He  soon  met 
his  father  and  mother  returning.  The  father  said, 
"  Where  are  you  going,  my  boy  ?"  With  a  heart  swell- 
ing with  emotion,  and  tears  coursing  down  his  cheeks, 
he  replied,  "  I  am  going  back  to  the  camp  ground,  to 
try  to  get  religion."  He  was  young,  yet  his  parents 
knew  him  too  well  to  doubt  his  sincerity  for  a  moment, 
and  they  bid  him  God-speed.  Wisely  did  they  act ! 
How  differently  do  parents — professing  godliness,  too — 
sometimes  act  towards  their  children,  at  times  when  their 
young  hearts  are  deeply  affected,  and  they  have  a  desire 
to  become  pious.  It  is  said  to  them,  "  You  are  too 
young ;  you  do  not  know  what  you  are  about ;  wait  till 
you  get  old  enough  to  keep  religion  when  you  get  it." 
This  course,  dear  parents,  may  be  ruinous  to  your  child- 
ren. Rather  encourage  them  to  "bear  the  yoke  in  their 
youth." 

"  It  saves  us  from  a  thousand  snares, 
To  mind  religion  young." 

Frederick,  being  encouraged  by  his  noble-hearted  pa- 
rents, prosecuted  his  journey,  and,  that  night,  while  I  was, 
with  other  soldiers,  reconnoitering  the  spiritual  battle- 


58  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

Frederick  Carter's  happy  death. 

field,  among  the  slain  of  the  Lord,  which  Trere  many, 
I  saw,  by  the  light  of  the  camp  fires,  my  young 
friend  Frederick  in  agony.  But  soon  the  Heavenly 
Physician  made  the  wounded  whole.  He  joined  the 
Church  with  many  others,  the  morning  the  meeting 
closed,  and  every  one  could  plainly  discover  that  this 
youth  had  experienced  a  change  of  heart. 

"Ye  shall  know  them  by  their  fruits." 

I  want  my  young  friends  particularly  to  look  at  the 
sequel  of  this  case.  In  about  two  weeks  after  giving 
his  young  heart  to  God,  sickness  and  death  overtook 
him,  and  he  had  to  leave  all  his  earthly  ties  behind. 
But  he  had  one  tie  in  Heaven,  that  was  more  dear  to  his 
heart  than  every  other,  than  all  others:  that  tie  was 
Jesus.  And  after  exhorting  his  kind  parents,  brothers, 
and  sisters,  to  love  the  Saviour,  and  telling  them  he  was 
"  Going  Home  to  die  no  more,"  he  could  sing  (my 
young  friends,  don't  forget  it), 

"  All  hail  the  power  of  Jesu's  name, 
Let  angels  prostrate  fall ; 
Bring  forth  the  royal  diadem, 
And  crown  Ilim  Lord  of  all." 

At  another  point  on  this  Circuit  I  used  to  put  up 
with  an  excellent  family.  There  was  an  indentured 
youth  that  resided  there.  He  was  treated  kindly,  and, 
to  my  certain  knowledge,  his  religious  culture  was  anx- 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  59 

Beware  of  the  company  you  keep. 

iouslj  looked  after  by  the  gentleman  to  whom  he  was  ap- 
prenticed. I  used  frequently  to  admonish  him  to  become 
pious,  but  our  united  efforts  seemed  unavailing.  On  a 
certain  Sabbath  he  was  urged  to  go  to  preaching,  but 
offered  some  excuse,  did  not  go,  but,  instead  of  doing 
so,  went  to  gather  cherries.  And,  when  in  the  top 
of  the  tree,  the  limb,  on  which  he  stood,  breaking,  he 
fell,  and  came  in  direct  contact  with  a  sharp  fence  stake, 
that  pierced  him  through  in  a  vital  part,  and  the  poor 
boy,  aged  about  sixteen,  was  soon,  almost  instantly, 
senseless  and  dead  !  "  Remember  the  Sabbath  day  to 
keep  it  holy."  How  much  better  it  would  have  been  for 
him  to  have  gone  to  Sabbath  School,  and  to  Church ! 
To-day  he  might  be  living,  and  useful  in  society. 

■  In  this  county  another  sad  event  took  place,  that  I 
feel  anxious  to  introduce,  hoping  it  may  be  of  service  in 
restraining  the  young  from  evil,  and  in  inducing  them  to 
"  Remember  their  Creator  in  the  days  of  their  youth." 
The  young  man,  of  whom  I  now  speak,  I  knew  inti- 
mately. Many  a  time  I  have  urged  him  to  serve  the 
Lord.  He  was  a  regular  attendant  of  Church,  but  pro- 
crastinated his  salvation.  He  associated  with  some  cal- 
culated to  lead  him  away  from  the  house  of  God.  "  Evil 
communications  corrupt  good  manners."  He  became  a 
gambler,  a  drunkard,  and,  under  the  influence  of  ardent 
spirits,  with  a  weapon  of  death,  murdered  one  of  his 
fellow  men !     I  visited  him  in  the  prison  before  he  had 


60  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

Treatment  of  coloured  people. 

his  trial.  He  was  a  tender-hearted  young  man.  He 
"wept  bitterly,  and  said,  ''  Often  have  you  urged  me  to 
enibrace  religion.  0  !  that  I  had  taken  your  advice  !  I 
should  have  been  saved  from  this  horrible  place,  and  the 
guilty  conscience  that  now  abides  with  me  by  day  and 
by  night.  But  it  is  now  too  late.  I  am  ruined  for  time, 
and,  I  fear,  for  eternity.  I  beg  an  interest  in  your 
prayers."  He  was  sentenced  to  a  long  imprisonment  in 
the  Penitentiary.  His  amiability  there  won  him  many 
friends,  and,  it  was  thought,  that  he  would  have  been 
reprieved  by  Executive  clemency.  But  death  terminated 
his  career  there  prematurely.  I  hope  he  clung  to  the 
Gospel,  the  only  hope  of  the  guilty.  Young  readers, 
beware  of  the  company  you  keep.  "  Blessed  is  the  man 
that  walketh  not  in  the  counsel  of  the  ungodly,  nor 
standeth  in  the  way  of  sinners,  nor  sitteth  in  the  seat 
of  the  scornful."     "And  look  not  upon  the  cup." 

While  I  travelled  this  Circuit,  I  found  that  there 
was  much  kindness  shown  to  the  slave  and  colored  popu- 
lation, generally.  It  is  not  my  purpose  to  write  an 
apology  for  the  institution  of  slavery,  but  I  will  say, 
that  great  injustice,  sometimes,  is  done  to  our  people  in 
the  South  relative  to  the  treatment  of  their  slaves. 
They  had  a  place,  and  they  were  cordially  welcome  in 
this  Circuit,  in  all  our  churches.  I  have  frequently,  of 
Saturday  nights,  preached  for  them  in  the  churches  of 
the  whites,  and  never  a  mui'mur  escaped  from  the  lips 


IN  THE  ITINERANCY.  61 

Major  Massey. 

of  any  person  that  I  am  aware  of.  I  used  to  be  pleased 
in  family  prayer  to  see  the  coloured  part  of  the  family 
brought  in,  and,  after  reading  a  portion  of  the  Holy 
Scriptures,  I  used  to  give  out  some  plain  hymn,  such 
as,  "  0  that  my  load  of  sin  were  gone ;"  or,  "  When  I 
can  read  my  title  clear,"  or  some  other  familiar  verses, 
and  such  singing  I  rarely  ever  heard.  They  would  sing 
without  restraint  and  pray  fervently,  and  seemed  as 
happy  as  they  could  live. 

We  had  regular  preaching  in  the  Quarter  at  Major 
Massey 's.  When  I  travelled  the  Circuit,  this  appoint- 
ment was  still  continued,  although  the  good  Major  had 
deceased  the  year  before  in  great  peace,  having  a  bright 
prospect  of  eternal  life.  His  widow  was  anxious  to 
carry  out  his  wishes  relative  to  the  spiritual  improve- 
ment of  the  coloured  people.  We  used  to  hold  meetings 
there  with  great  comfort,  and  much  good  was  done.  The 
congregations  were  quite  large.  The  people  of  colour 
would  come  from  neighbouring  farms.  Many  of  the  very 
best,  and  most  intelligent  members  of  our  Church  led 
class  for  them,  and  did  not  feel  it  beneath  their  dignity  to 
do  so.  This  being  the  case,  many  of  this  class  were 
brought  to  a  saving  knowledge  of  the  truth,  and  we  had 
about  five  hundred  communicants  of  this  class  of  society, 
within  the  bounds  of  our  Circuit. 

I  have  already  stated  that  it  was  very  sickly  and 
deathly  in  this  Circuit  this  year,  and  we  were  often 


62  THIRTEEN   YEARS*    EXPERIENCE 

Many  funerals.  Flattery  dangerous. 

called  upon  to  preach  funerals.  Amongst  many  others, 
I  preached  the  funeral  sermon  of  an  estimable,  wealthy 
citizen,  on  a  Sabbath  afternoon.  He  was  a  member  of 
the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church.  A  very  large  audi- 
ence assembled  together.  It  was  a  heavy  cross  for  me 
to  officiate,  but  I  trusted  in  God,  felt  happy  in  trying  to 
faithfully  warn  the  people  from  "  Prepare  to  meet  thy 
God."  After  leaving  the  place,  a  very  old  Methodist, 
who  felt  much  for  me,  and,  no  doubt,  earnestly  prayed 
for  me,  said  to  me,  "  Brother  Manship,  you  did  well  at 
the  funeral,  but  I  think  it  is  likely  the  devil  has  told  you 
so  before  this."  The  old  gentleman  understood  human 
nature  very  well,  and  was  well  acquainted  with  the  wiles 
of  Satan.  Persons  should  be  careful  how  they  commend 
and  flatter  a  minister  to  his  face.  We  are  but  men. 
Still  I  am  of  opinion  that  a  word  of  encouragement, 
occasionally,  from  judicious  persons,  is  calculated  to 
''Strengthen  the  weak  hands,  and  confirm  the  feeble 
knees."  And  it  may  save  the  young  minister  from  des- 
pondency for  him  to  duly  consider,  and  for  discreet 
friends  to  "  let  him  know"  that  he  has  been  instrumental 
in  '^  converting  a  sinner  from  the  error  of  his  way." 

I  formed  the  acquaintance  of  an  elderly  gentleman  in 
this  region,  who  attended  our  meetings,  and  was  s-^me- 
what  interested.  He  invited  me  to  his  house.  He  was 
remarkably  clever  in  his  way.  He  was  brought  up  in 
the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church.     He  told  me  I  was  the 


IN   THE   ITINERAXCY.  63 

The  pipe  of  peace. 

first  Methodist  preacher  that  ha  cl  ever  been  in  his  house. 
I  went  home  with  him  for  the  sole  purpose  of  trying  to 
promote  his  salvation.  It  was  considerably  out  of  my 
way,  and  in  this  region  there  was  no  scarcity  of  homes 
for  the  ministers.  And  the  brethren  deemed  it  a  privi- 
lege to  entertain  us.  I  could  hardly  tell  what  means  to 
adopt  to  win  this  elderly  gentleman's  affections  more 
fully,  and,  by  that  agency,  be  likely  to  lead  him  on  to 
the  cross.  Thinking  of  Paul's  course,  which  was  to 
become  "  all  things  to  all  men,  that  he  might  by  all 
means  save  some,"  I  felt  disposed  to  adopt  it  in  this 
case.  I  had  not  long  been  his  guest  before  he  asked  me 
to  "smoke  with  him."  He  presented  T\e  with  a  pipe. 
I  supposed  it  might  be  the  pipe  of  peace.  He  smoked, 
and  I  did  likewise.  I  was  not  accustomed  to  it,  or  to 
the  use  of  tobacco  in  any  form  whatever.  He  enjoyed 
it  apparently  very  much.  I  soon  lost  my  equilibrium, 
and  almost  my  senses.  For  a  short  time  I  never  was  so 
sick.  From  that  day  till  the  present  I  have  had 
"Neither  part  nor  lot  in  this  matter,"  and  advise  my 
readers,  especially  my  young  readers,  to  "  Touch  not, 
taste  not,  handle  not"  the  article  ;  for  it  paves  the 
way  for  other  unprofitable  habits,  and  the  issue  may  be 
most  disastrous. 

At  the  proper  time  I  took  my  departure  from  my 
kind  old  friend's  comfortable  mansion,  hoping  (although 
I  failed  in  my  smoking  operations,  perhaps)  that  I  was  of 


G4  TIIIIITEEN   years'    EXPERIENCE 

Church  completed  and  dedicated. 

some  service  to  him  and  his  family;  for,  in  the  last 
prayer  I  had  with  the  family,  we  had  a  weeping  time. 
He  has  gone  to  his  long  home.  I  hope  his  end  was 
peaceful.  But  I  assure  my  readers  I  never  adopted  this 
expedient  again  in  trying  to  get  a  soul  converted.  But 
I  have  tried  and  hope  still  to  try  to  "  Be  instant  in 
season,  out  of  season,  reprove,  rebuke,  exhort  with  all 
long-suffering  and  doctrine." 

AVe  had  dui^ing  the  year  prosperity — many  were 
added  to  the  church,  young  and  old,  rich  and  poor,  bond 
and  free;  and  my  beloved  colleague  and  myself  left 
this  field  of  labour  with  much  regret.  "VYe  had  the 
pleasure  of  seeing  one  new  church  completed  and 
dedicated  by  my  colleague  to  the  worship  of  Almighty 
God.  This  was  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Buthsburg, 
and  the  church  was  called  "Ebenezer,"  meaning, 
hitherto  God  hath  helped  us.  He  did  help  us  there, 
and  the  little  society  increased  considerably.  For  this 
enterprise  the  community  was  greatly  indebted  to 
Brother  James  Clark  and  Brother  Joseph  K.  Cook,  tem- 
porally and  spiritually ;  for  they  not  only  mainly  built 
the  house,  but  they  led  class,  one  for  the  white  society, 
and  the  other  for  the  coloured.  They  met  with  con- 
siderable opposition  in  this  work,  and  many  discourage- 
ments ;  but,  by  the  blessing  of  God,  they  were  enabled 
to  see  their  noble  wishes  realized.  Those  who  are  the 
means  of  accomplishing  such  a  work,  are  public  benefac- 


IN   THE    ITINERAXCY.  Q5 

Poor  of  earth — rich  in  faith. 

tors ;  and  the  amount  of  good  that  is  thus  accomplished, 
will  not  be  known  until  that  glorious  day  shall  roll 
round,  when  many  that  we  did  not  think  of  in  that 
connexion,  will  "arise  up  and  call  us  blessed." 

This  house  was  contiguous  to  the  Alms  House  of  the 
county;  and,  literally,  by  the  erection  of  this  place, 
"the  poor  had  the  gospel  preached  to  them."  The 
gentleman  that  kept  this  institution,  at  the  time  I 
travelled  there,  was  a  valuable  member  of  the  Church. 
I  found  this  a  most  delightful  home.  The  manner  in 
which  the  house  was  kept  and  regulated,  was  a  credit  to 
the  county.  No  one  was,  so  far  as  I  was  capable  of 
seeing,  neglected.  I  often  passed  through  the  institu- 
tion— visiting  the  sick  and  praying  with  them — in 
company  with  the  kind-hearted  overseer.  And  for  the 
benefit  of  those  who  could  not  get  to  the  church,  we 
used  occasionally  to  preach  in  the  institution.  And  we 
there  found  many  pious  souls,  and  saw  evidences  that 
the  poor  could  be  truly  happy.  And  from  this  place — 
Lazarus-like — there  would  be  jewels,  borne  on  the 
golden  pinions  of  angels  to  Abraham's  bosom ;  and 
Jhough  they  are  poor  now,  they  will  soon  be  rich. 
''  For  ye  know  the  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  that 
though  he  was  rich,  yet  for  your  sakes  he  became  poor, 
that  ye  through  his  poverty  might  be  rich." 


GQ  THIRTEEN  YEARS'   EXPERIENCE 


CHAPTER  III. 

Chestnut  Hill  made  a  distinct  Charge — Not  favourable  to  Union 
Churches — Kindness  of  a  Presbyterian  Family — New  Methodist 
Episcopal  Chiirch  commenced — Hold  the  Second  Quarterly  Meeting 
in  a  Grove — Night  Meetings  defended — School-House  not  accessible 
— Private  House  opened  for  Protracted  Meeting  Services — God 
prospers  those  who  are  faithful  to  his  Cause — A  wicked  Man  wanted 
me  hung — Can't  stop  the  Work  of  God — Hold  another  Woods  Meet- 
ing near  Dreshertown — The  Character  and  Liberality  of  an  aged 
German — Rev.  Albert  Barnes — Anecdote  of  General  Jackson — God's 
Ambassadors  truly  honourable — Rough  Fields  of  Labour  profitable 
to  the  young  Minister — Against  making  our  own  Appointments — 
The  Petitioning  System  not  the  more  excellent  Way. 

I  WAS  sent,  in  the  spring  of  1844,  to  Chestnut  Hill.  I 
left  the  Conference  before  it  closed,  a  few  days,  not 
dreaming  I  was  to  come  up.  I  passed  on  to  spend  a  few 
days  with  my  friends  on  the  peninsula ;  and,  when  I  was 
informed  by  some  of  the  preachers  that  my  appointment 
was  to  Chestnut  Hill,  I  was  very  greatly  surprised.  I 
did  not  know  there  was  such  a  place  in  the  bounds  of 
the  Conference.  But  I  soon  found  it,  situated  in  the 
county  of  Philadelphia,  then  nine  miles  from  the  city, 
but  now,  since  the  Act  of  Consolidation  was  passed,  a 
part  of  it.  It  was  beautifully  situated,  a  village  set  upon 
a  hill.  It  had  formerly  been  a  part  of  Germantown 
charge ;  but  it  now  became  a  distinct  field  of  labour,  and 
I  was  the  first  preacher  appointed  to  it.  But  I  was  rather 
coldly  received.     The  reason  of  the  cool  reception  was 


IN    THE    ITINERANCY.  67 

Small  amount  of  quarterage.  Union  chapels. 

mainly  owing  to  the  fear,  on  the  part  of  the  society,  that 
they  could  not  support  a  minister.  At  the  first  Quarterly 
Meeting,  the  funds  amounted  in  all  to  about  tivo  dollars  1 
I  found  some  of  the  people  distant ;  and,  as  I  was  a 
stranger  in  a  strange  land,  it  was  calculated  to  depress 
my  spirits.  But  there  was  a  most  happy  change,  ere 
long. 

Our  preaching  place  was  a  Union  stone  chapel.  This 
edifice  was  built  by  a  worthy  gentleman,  for  the  use  of 
the  difierent  denominations.  Much  good  was  accom- 
plished, and  several  churches  had  been  built ;  and  we 
were  left,  almost  exclusively,  as  the  occupants  of  the 
chapel,  the  Episcopalians  and  Presbyterians  only  occa- 
sionally occupying  the  house.  I  was  not  satisfied  with 
this  arrangement,  and  urged  the  society  to  arise  and 
build,  weak  as  they  were ;  because,  in  the  first  place,  the 
chapel  was  too  contracted ;  in  the  second  place,  I  was 
under  the  impression  that  each  denomination  would 
prosper  more  where  they  felt  they  had  the  entire  control. 
And,  while  I  profess  to  be  in  favour  of  evangelic  alliance, 
and  go  in  heartily  for  the  sentiment  of  the  Psalmist, 
*'  How  good  and  how  pleasant  it  is  for  brethren  to  dwell 
together  in  unity;"  at  the  same  time,  I  do  not  think 
favourably  of  the  amalgamation  of  difi*erent  denomina- 
tions in  one  and  the  same  edifice.  "While  we  agree  upon 
the  leading  doctrines  of  salvation,  there  are  matters  of 
minor  importance  about  which  we  disagree.     Some  work 


68         THIRTEEN  years'  EXPERIENCE 

Lot  procured  for  church.  Kindness  of  Presbyterians. 

in  one  way,  and  some  in  another  way,  to  accomplisli  the 
same  end;  and  "behold  how  great  a  matter  a  little 
fire  kindleth !"  Therefore,  I  felt  it  my  duty  to  use  all 
diligence  to  get  our  society  into  the  spirit  of  building  a 
new,  regular  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  We  were,  to 
some  extent,  successful.  A  beautiful  lot  was  procured. 
The  spot  was  elevated,  on  a  principal  thoroughfare,  and 
overlooking  the  whole  surrounding  country.  The  stone 
was  on  the  ground,  and  a  board  of  trustees  were  regu- 
larly organized.  Some  of  the  brethren  from  German- 
town  came  up  to  our  help,  and  none  more  effectively 
than  Jacob  Thomas,  Esq.,  and  Samuel  Y.  Harmer,  a 
local  preacher.  The  latter  was  the  president  of  our 
board.  The  spirit  and  disposition  to  carry  this  enter- 
prise through  were  becoming  general,  many  of  our  Pres- 
byterian friends  also  aiding  us  with  their  counsel  and 
means.  We  had  their  co-operation,  too,  at  our  prayer 
meetings  through  the  week.  And  one  gentleman  of 
this  persuasion,  who  in  this  place  had  a  fine  summer 
residence,  opened  his  house  for  a  prayer  meeting ;  and 
he  and  his  excellent  Christian  lady  took  part  in  the  public 
exercises. 

When  I  first  came  to  this  place,  there  was  but  little 
to  encourage  ;  but,  at  the  close  of  the  year,  I  had  a  great 
desire  to  be  returned,  to  see  the  plans  carried  out  that 
had  been  devised  for  the  erection  of  a  new  church.  In 
tliis  respect  I  was  not  gratified,  but  the  work  was  com- 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  69 


Quarterly  Meeting  in  the  grove. 


mitted  to  other  and  better  liands ;  and,  in  due  time,  the 
end  was  accomplished.  And  now,  for  several  years, 
Wesley  Chapel,  "beautiful  for  situation,"  has  stood,  as 
one  of  the  ornaments  of  the  place 

''These  temples  of  his  grace, 
How  beautiful  they  stand ! 
The  honours  of  our  native  place, 
And  bulwarks  of  our  land." 

I  had  never,  from  experience  or  observation,  known 
scarcely  anything  about  a  station.  I  could  not,  therefore, 
feel  happy  to  confine  myself  to  that  point  alone.  I  found 
that  the  surrounding  country,  so  far  as  Methodism  was 
concerned,  was  destitute  of  churches.  There  were  other 
denominational  organizations ;  and  I  may,  with  much 
truth,  say,  "  as  concerning  this  sect,  everywhere  it  was 
spoken  against."  We  succeeded,  in  August,  in  getting 
the  use  of  a  gentleman's  woods,  in  the  neighbourhood  of 
Wrangletown,  to  hold  our  second  Quarterly  Meeting  in. 
A  large  concourse  assembled  ;  and  our  venerable  Presid- 
ing Elder,  Rev.  Solomon  Higgins,  preached  to  the  vast 
mass  of  persons  faithfully  the  unsearchable  riches  of 
Christ.  The  subject  was  the  disease  and  cure  of 
Naaman  tJie  leper.  I  was  also,  on  that  occasion,  assisted 
by  Rev.  James  Cunningham,  pastor  of  Germantown 
Church.  This  meeting  did  much,  in  strengthening  our 
weak  cause,  in  this  neighbourhood.  Here  we  were  per- 
mitted to  use  the  school-house,  at  least  on  Sundays, 


70  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

Nigbt  meetings. 

during  the  day,  but  not  at  night.  Some  people  have  a 
horrid  opinion  of  night  meetings.  I  met  with  a  man 
who  said  to  me,  "  I  had  rather  follow  my  daughter  to 
the  grave  than  know  of  her  going  to  a  Methodist  class 
meeting,  or  night  meeting.''  I  told  him  I  hoped  that 
neither  he  nor  his  daughter  would  ever  get  into  a  worse 
place.  Some  people  "strain  at  a  gnat  and  swallow  a 
camel."  "We  advocate  night  meetings,  not  because  we 
are  ashamed  of  the  light  of  day,  for  we  are  willing  to  be 
"known  and  read  of  all  men."  But  we  have  adopted 
them  because  we  have  much  work  to  do,  and  there  is  not 
sufficient  time  during  the  day.  And  while  we  are  anxious 
to  get  the  wealthy  converted,  who  have  their  time  at  their 
disposal,  we  also  feel  that  "  the  poor"  must  "have  the  gos- 
pel preached  unto  them ;"  and  hundreds  and  thousands  of 
this  large  class,  who  cannot,  from  their  situation,  be  pre- 
sent frequently  in  the  day,  can  be  at  our  evening  meetings. 
The  word  of  God  encourages  us  to  pray  in  the  night 
season,  as  well  as  in  the  daytime.  Jacob  prayed  all 
night ;  Paul  preached  till  midnight,  on  a  certain  occasion ; 
the  Saviour  spent  whole  nights  in  prayer.  With  such 
examples  before  us,  we  will  "  spend  the  day  and  share 
the  night"  in  trying  to  accomplish  the  work  which  God 
has  given  us  to  do.  And  although  I  am  in  favour  of 
closing  our  night  meetings  at  a  proper  time,  in  general 
(and  this  is  not  only  my  theory,  but  my  practice),  yet 
there  may  be,  and  frequently  is,  sufficient  reason  for  our 


IN  THE   ITINERANCY,  71 

Praiseworthy  conduct  of  a  poor  man. 

continuing  longer ;  and,  like  the  poet,  we  feel  it  is  right 
and  proper  to  say, 

*'  With  Thee  all  night  I  mean  to  stay, 
And  wrestle  till  the  break  of  day." 

This  we  can  do,  and  this  we  will  do,  if  the  exigencies  of 
the  case  demand  it ;  and,  in  our  beloved  free  country, 
where  religion  generally  is  protected,  there  shall  be  none 
to  molest  or  make  us  afraid.  And,  indeed,  those  sister 
denominations  that  used  to  be  against  night  meetings,  in 
theory  and  in  practice,  have  found  it  necessary  to  recede 
a  little  as  a  prudential  regulation.  Now  we  are  at  it, 
and  all  at  it ;  and,  when  we  do  all  we  can,  we  shall  still 
be  but  "unprofitable  servants,"  and  many,  it  is  to  be 
feared,  will  not,  after  all,  be  saved. 

Those  who  had  the  management  of  the  school-house 
in  this  location,  being  inflexible  in  relation  to  our 
occupying  it  at  night,  the  prospect  being  good,  and  we 
desiring  to  hold  a  protracted  meeting,  a  poor  man — but 
one  of  God's  nobility — opened  his  house  for  this  purpose. 
The  community  seemed  amazed  that  he  would,  as  he 
was  not  a  member  of  the  society,  encourage  this  thing, 
and  aid  and  abet  this  "  constant  singing,  praying, 
shouting,  and  noisy  preaching."  The  protracted  meet- 
ing was  held.  It  resulted  in  much  good,  and  greatly 
contributed  to  establish  in  that  neighbourhood  a 
permanent  place  of  worship,  which  was  soon,  by  God's 


72  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

Death  of  a  persecutor. 

blessing,  accomplished.  And  I  want  my  readers  to 
know,  tliat  tins  man,  wlio  opened  his  house  for  the 
worship  of  God,  and  for  the  entertainment  of  God's 
ministers  and  people,  who  some  supposed  would  "eat 
him  out  of  house  and  home,"  has  greatly  prospered,  and 
now  owns  and  lives  on  his  own  farm,  increasing  in  goods, 
and,  what  is  still  better,  happy  in  religion.  He  did 
not,  though  a  sinner,  despise  God's  infant  church ;  and, 
consequently,  God  has  not  despised  him.  In  this  case 
we  see  the  words  of  our  Saviour  fulfilled:  "He  that 
receiveth  a  prophet  in  the  name  of  a  prophet,  shall 
receive  a  prophet's  reward;  and  he  that  receiveth  a 
righteous  man  in  the  name  of  a  righteous  man,  shall 
receive  a  righteous  man's  reward." 

Threatening  remarks  were  made  against  me  by  a 
neighbour,  who  was  wealthy.  Two  of  his  daughters 
embraced  religion  at  our  meetings.  He  seemed  very 
desirous  to  get  me  out  of  the  neighbourhood  ;  and,  in  fact, 
judging  from  his  remarks,  out  of  the  world  too ;  for  he 
said,  ''I will  buy  the  rope  if  any  one  ivill  hang  him!'' 
His  daughters,  happily  converted,  softened  him  down 
considerably.  They  took  him  our  book  of  discipline 
also,  with  the  view  of  convincing  him  that  the  Methodists 
were  not  the  worst  people  in  the  world.  But  he  had 
grown  old  in  sin ;  he  did  not  live  long  thereafter,  yet  we 
hope  God  was  merciful  to  him.  When  his  death  was 
announced,  I   could   not   but   think   of  the  words   of 


IN  THE  ITINERANCY.  73 

The  Minnick  family.  The  work  of  God  cannot  be  stopped. 

the  Psalmist :  "  He  hath  also  prepared  for  him 
the  instruments  of  death,  he  ordaineth  his  arrows  against 
the  persecutors." 

The  work  of  religion  prospered ;  and  the  more  this 
infant  society  was  opposed,  the  more  it  increased.  I 
was  greatly  aided  at  this  point  by  the  family  of  Min- 
nicks,  Brothers  Samuel,  Joseph,  and  George,  two  of 
whom  are  living  still,  and  are  ministers  of  the  gospel. 
Brother  Joseph  died  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia  some 
years  since.  And,  as  he  lived,  he  died,  a  happy 
Christian,  with  a  bright  prospect  of  eternal  life  before 
him.  We  found,  at  this  point,  labourers  to  be  few,  and 
much  opposition  to  encounter ;  nevertheless,  the  Lord 
brought  us  safely  through  by  his  love  and  power,  and 
those  who  supposed  they  would  nip  this  matter  in  its 
bud  were  disappointed.  "  Can  a  man  stop  the  rolling 
tide?  Can  he  retard  the  progress  of  the  sun?  The 
cause  of  God  is  in  motion,  and  will  crush  every  obstacle. 
Nor  is  this  all.  He  makes  opposition  an  advantage: 
his  enemies  intend  one  thing  and  he  another,  and  they 
serve  an  interest  they  despise,  and  labour  to  repress ; 
their  schemes  fulfil  his  plan ;  he  turns  them  from  their 
natural  currents  into  secret  channels,  prepared  to  receive 
them,  and  in  which  they  flow  along,  into  the  fulness  of 
Him  that  filleth  all  in  all." 

We  felt  a  desire  to  plant  the  tree  of  Methodism  in 
the  neighbourhood  of  Dreshertown,  Montgomery  county, 
7 


74  THIRTEEN   TEAIIS'    EXPERIENCE 

"NA'ooJs  meeting  near  Dreshertown. 

about  seven  miles  from  Chestnut  Hill.  There  were  a 
few  in  this  neighbourhood  who  wished  to  be  in  fellowship 
with  us,  and  they  were  highly  gratified  with  the  idea  of 
a  woods  meeting.  This  was  new  to  the  community.  A 
beautiful  place  was  oflered  to  us ;  and,  under  those 
majestic  oaks,  we  prepared  for  the  accommodation  of  a 
large  concourse.  They  came  from  every  quarter,  many, 
probably,  for  no  good,  but  the  Sabbath  was  well  spent. 
God's  word  was  faithfully  preached,  fervent  prayers 
were  offered  for  the  revival  of  God's  work,  and  songs  of 
Zion  were  sung  with  the  spirit,  and  the  sacrament  of  the 
Lord's  supper  was  then  and  there  administered,  for  the 
first  time  among  the  Methodists,  to  about  twenty  persons. 
This  was  a  small  proportion  of  the  great  crowd  ;  but  the 
Lord  was  in  our  midst,  and  a  few  poor  penitents  that 
day  were  not  ashamed  to  cry  for  mercy.  While  I 
beheld  the  great  crowd  who  did  not  take  a  deep  interest 
in  this  religious  meeting,  and  the  little  band  that  were 
ready  to  shout  out,  "  God  forbid  that  I  should  glory, 
save  in  the  cross  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,"  I  could  but 
think  of  the  solemn  words  of  our  Great  Teacher;  "Enter 
ye  in  at  the  straight  gate :  for  wide  is  the  gate,  and 
broad  is  the  way  that  leadeth  to  destruction,  and  many 
there  be  which  go  in  thereat :  Because  straight  is  the 
gate,  and  narrow  is  the  way,  which  leadeth  unto  life, 
and  few  there  be  that  find  it." 

I  was  highly  favoured  with  ministerial  help  on  this 
occasion.     Rev.  William  McCombs,  and  Rev.  Peter  Isen- 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  75 

A  noble-hearted  German. 

bry  were  with  me,  and  represented  Methodism  well. 
They  were  greatly  assisted  from  on  high  that  day,  in 
the  pulpit.  I  thought  such  preaching  would  take  the 
world — plain,  practipal,  powerful.  The  minister  ought 
to  feel.  May  we  imitate  the  ancient  preacher,  who  said, 
''  Oh  that  my  head  were  waters,  and  mine  eyes  a  foun- 
tain of  tears,  that  I  might  weep  day  and  night  for  the 
slain  of  the  daughter  of  my  people." 

In  this  neighbourhood  we  found  a  true  friend  in  a 
gentleman  by  the  name  of  Wiseman.  He  was  a  Ger- 
man, and  entertained  some  singular  notions  that  ap- 
peared to  me  very  superstitious.  I  could  not  see  the 
use  of  having  so  many  horse-shoes  about  the  premises ; 
but  I  was  told,  ^'  the  object  was  to  keep  the  witches 
away  !"  The  old  gentleman  had  a  horse  that  he  appear- 
ed to  love  fondly,  and  it  was  his  custom,  about  midnight, 
to  get  up  and  feed  him.  I  have  known  him,  for  fear  of 
worrying  the  horse,  to  walk  fifteen  miles,  and  scarcely 
any  load  in  the  wagon.  How  difierent  from  many,  who 
have  no  compassion  on  the  dumb  beast !  but  '"'  a  right- 
eous man  regardeth  the  life  of  his  beast,  but  the  tender 
mercies  of  the  wicked  are  cruel." 

This  elderly  gentleman  was  not  only  generous  to- 
wards his  noble  animal,  but  he  was  kind  and  friendly 
towards  God's  people  and  cause.  He  allowed  us  to 
establish  preaching  in  his  house,  and  form  a  class  there. 
Our  preaching-room  was  his  fine  parlour.     But  it  was 


76  THIRTEEN  YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

"Strike  while  the  iron  is  hot." 

soon  evident  that  it  was  insufficient  to  hold  the  people 
that  came  to  the  meetings.  He  allowed  us  to  have  the 
wall  that  divided  the  parlour  from  the  large  dining-room 
removed.  And  soon  literally  this  middle  wall  of  parti- 
tion was  taken  away,  and  folding-doors  introduced  in  its 
place.  By  this  arrangement,  the  two  rooms  could  be 
brought  into  one,  which  afforded  space  for  a  considerable 
congregation.  Here  we  preached,  and  the  Lord  owned 
his  Word,  and  our  society  increased  greatly,  and  it  did 
seem  to  me  to  be  a  field  that  was  "white  to  har- 
vest." The  venerable  German  joined  the  class  with  his 
companion,  and  they  were  both  very  desirous  to  have  a 
regular  church  built.  He  presented  to  us,  towards  the 
close  of  the  year,  a  fine  lot  for  the  church  location,  and 
burial  purposes,  and  proffered  to  give  all  the  stone  requi- 
site to  build  the  house.  I  would  not  raise  my  voice 
against  the  episcopacy  in  their  appointments ;  but  I  do 
firmly  believe  that  I  ought  to  have  gone  back,  the  second 
year,  to  that  field  of  labour.  I  felt  a  very  deep  interest 
in  this  matter.  The  old  German  gentleman  and  myself 
were  great  friends,  and  I  would  have  had  some  advan- 
tages that  a  stranger  could  not  be  expected  to  possess. 
The  itinerancy  made  changes.  This  point  was  somewhat 
difficult  of  access.  It  was  a  long  distance  to  walk,  and 
there  truly  were  barriers  in  the  way.  The  matter  was 
allowed  to  rest,  the  society  there  was  feeble,  and  a  few 
years  only  rolled  around  before  my  dear  old  German 


IN    THE    ITINERANCY.  77 

R^v.  Albert  Barnes.  Anecdote  of  General  Jackson. 

friend  passed  away  !  The  lot  was  not  taken  and  occu- 
pied according  to  his  wishes  at  the  time,  and  now  this 
matter  is  in  other  hands,  and  the  prospect  vanishes.  We 
ought  not  to  neglect  anything  till  to-morrow  that  should 
be  done  to-day.  It  would  have  been  well  for  our  cause 
could  the  old  adage  have  been  observed,  "  Strike  while 
the  iron  is  hot." 

At  Chestnut  Hill,  my  principal  appointment,  the 
Rev.  Albert  Barnes,  who  stands  at  the  head  of  the  New 
School  Presbyterian  Church,  in  connexion  with  his 
family,  spent  his  summers  generally.  And  it  is  difficult 
to  find  a  more  healthy  place.  The  air  fresh  and  pure, 
and,  very  near  the  village,  is  the  romantic  Wissahickon, 
affording  fine  bathing  facilities.  Mr.  Barnes  was  generous 
personally  towards  our  new  enterprise  at  this  place. 
And  from  all  I  could  see  and  hear,  I  am  led  to  consider 
him  one  of  the  first  men  of  the  present  day.  There  is 
one  circumstance  I  want  to  mention.  He  declines  titles. 
Many  have  them  annexed  to  their  names,  I  suppose  not 
so  learned  as  he,  and  not  so  meritorious.  Not  only  do 
his  sermons,  but  his  voluminous  writings,  show  him  to 
be  no  ordinary  man.  But  to  be  a  minister  of  the  ever- 
lasting Gospel,  he  may  think,  is  high  enough  honour  for 
him. 

I  feel  at  this  point  inclined  to  speak  of  an  incident 
in  regard  to  General  Jackson,  when  President  of  the 
United  States.     An  office  was  asked  at  his  hands  by  a 


78  THIRTEEN    YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

The  ministerial  ofBce  tlio  highest  hold  by  man. 

gentleman,  who  presented  a  strong  recommendation  to 
the  old  hero ;  and  to  make  it  doubly  strong,  as  he  sup- 
posed, urged  that  he  was  a  minister  of  the  Gospel.  The 
President  said,  "  Sir,  this  being  the  case,  you  hold  a 
higher  office,  and  more  honourable  station,  than  I  or  any 
other  man  can  give  you.  My  advice  to  you  is  to  go 
home  and  make  a  faithful  use  of  the  very  high  commis- 
sion you  already  have."  He  failed  to  accomplish  his 
purpose,  but  that  advice,  perhaps,  did  him  more  service 
than  any  office  would  have  done  that  the  President  had 
the  power  to  confer. 

Brethren  in  the  ministry,  let  us  call  to  mind  the 
words  of  the  Apostle  :  "Now  then  we  are  ambassadors 
for  Christ,  as  though  God  did  beseech  you  by  us,  we  pray 
you  in  Christ's  stead  be  ye  reconciled  to  God."  This 
being  our  high  and  honourable  calling,  why  should  we 
desire  to  "  receive  honour  one  of  another,  and  seek  not 
the  honour  that  cometh  from  God  only?"  We  will  go 
forward  as  faithful  representatives  of  the  King  of  kings, 
and  not  "  covet  crowns,  nor  envy  conquerors." 

I  went  to  the  field  of  labour  of  which  I  have  been 
treating,  with  a  heavy  heart.  I  had  always  lived  in  a 
portion  of  country  mainly  under  the  influence  of  Me- 
thodism, and  in  the  South,  where  the  people  are  remark- 
able for  hospitality,  and  ministers,  of  our  denomination 
in  particular,  were  greatly  esteemed.  The  change  was 
great,  but  I  shall  always  be  thankful  for  the  trials  I  ex- 


IN   THE    ITINERANCY.  79 

Go  cheerfully  to  your  appointment. 

perienced  in  this  appointment.  I  here  encountered  some 
repulses,  and,  like  the  Master,  sometimes  had  not  a  place 
to  lay  mj  head,  and  was  led  to  cast,  more  than  ever, 
my  "  care  upon  the  Lord."  We  were  here  surrounded 
by  almost  an  endless  number  of  denominations,  many 
of  them  efficient  in  the  great  harvest  field,  and  others 
sowing  seed  that  would  produce  a  crop  of  noxious  weeds ; 
and  it  was  requisite  for  me  to  be  up  and  doing,  and  I 
felt  the  force  of  God's  word,  "  Woe  be  unto  them  that 
are  at  ease  in  Zion."  I  here  learned  lessons  I  shall 
never  forget,  and  a  courage  was  imparted  to  me  that  I 
hope  has  to  this  day  characterized  my  poor  labours  and 
operations  as  a  Methodist  preacher,  and  I  trust  ever 
will,  enabling  me  to  meet  responsibilities  and  to  triumph 
over  difficulties  in  the  name  of  the  Lord.  To  my  young 
brethren  in  the  ministry  I  want  to  say,  wherever  our  lot 
may  be  cast  by  those  who  have  the  rule  over  us,  it  will 
be  the  more  excellent  way  for  us  cheerfully  to  go,  even 
though  the  field  is  rough  and  uninviting,  and  though  our 
enemies  may  be  strong,  our  societies  weak,  and  our  sup- 
port, judging  from  appearances,  likely  to  be  very  mea- 
gre. Let  us  think  of  the  hardships  endured  by  our 
fathers,  and  joyfully  move  onward,  singing  as  we  go — 

"We  want  no  cowards  in  our  bands, 
That  will  their  colours  fly  ; 
We  call  for  valiant-hearted  men, 
That  are  not  afraid  to  die. 


80  THIRTEEN   years"    EXPERIENCE 


Leave  the  appointing  power  where  the  Discipline  places  it. 

The  trumpets  sound,  the  armies  shout, 

They  drive  the  hosts  of  hell ; 
How  dreadful  is  our  God  to  adore, 

The  great  Immanuel !" 

Going  forth  under  the  most  unfavourable  circumstances, 
in  the  right  spirit,  we  must  conquer  in  every  field  of  toil. 
*'  Now  thanks  be  unto  God,  which  always  causeth  us  to 
triumph  in  Christ,  and  maketh  manifest  the  savour  of  his 
knowledge  by  us  in  every  place." 

When  I  entered  upon  this  year's  work,  from  the  force 
of  circumstances  I  was  powerfully  tempted  to  give  up, 
and  go  home ;  but,  when  the  year  closed,  I  felt  an  attach- 
ment to  my  charge  that  I  had  never  before  experienced. 
It  was  the  first  one  where  I  had  been  without  a  colleague, 
and  in  charge ;  and,  although  it  was  so  hard  for  me  to 
go,  and  to  stay  after  I  did  go,  could  I  have  had  my 
choice,  at  the  Conference  that  followed,  I  would  have 
said,  Give  me  for  my  next  cb-^rge  Chestnut  Hill  mission  ; 
and  I  thought  I  desired  no  better  place  till  I  should  travel 
the  Circuit  of  the  skies.  Experience  and  observation, 
however,  have  taught  me  that,  with  us  as  a  denomination, 
it  is  far  better  that  the  ministers  and  membership  of  the 
Church  should  leave  the  appointing  power  where  it  was 
originally  placed.  Sacrifices  by  this  arrangement  must 
be  made,  both  with  the  ministers  and  members ;  but  are 
not  the  advantages  far  more  weighty  than  the  disadvan- 
tages ?     When  we  have  nothing  to  do  with  making  our 


IN  THE   ITINERANCY.  81 

The  better  way. 

appointments,  then  we  can,  in  the  severest  trials,  look 
•with  propriety  to  the  Lord  for  support  and  deliverance ; 
which  we  could  not  so  fully  do,  if  we  controlled  our  own 
appointments,  and  used  means  to  place  ourselves  in  the 
position,  where  "  storm  after  storm  rises  dark  o'er  the 
way."  And  I  trust  I  shall  ever  feel  willing  to  subscribe 
to  the  sentiment,  on  this  point,  presented  by  the  prophet ; 
"  As  the  clay  is  in  the  potter's  hand,  so  are  ye  in  mine 
hand,  0  house  of  Israel!"  And,  if  the  people  would 
(instead  of  taking  this  matter  into  their  own  hands,  and 
rolling  in  upon  the  Bishop  petition  after  petition  for  their 
favourites,  thus  manifesting  a  lack  of  confidence  in  the 
authorities  of  our  beloved  Church,  and  also  in  the  Great 
Head  of  the  Church),  devoutly  pray  that  labourers  of  the 
right  stamp  might  be  sent  forth  into  the  vineyard  of  the 
Lord,  praying  also  for  our  chief  ministers,  and  having 
confidence  in  their  piety,  judgment,  and  disposition  to  do 
the  very  best  for  both  ministers  and  flocks,  and  resolving 
that  whoever,  in  God's  providence,  comes,  shall  have  a 
cordial  welcome — they  would  find  it  the  better  way,  and 
more  for  God's  glory.  He  might  not  be  the  choice  of 
some  one,  two,  or  three  of  the  leading  men  of  the  church ; 
yet  often  he  is  the  very  man  for  the  place,  and  the  sequel 
proves  it ;  and,  by  God's  blessing,  he  leads  to  Christ  very 
many ;  and,  among  the  rest,  the  children  of  those  leading 
men,  who  felt  that  everything  depended  on  some  other 
one  being  appointed  to  the  station  or  Circuit. 


82  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

Reasons  against  petitioning. 

Dear  readers,  let  us  in  tliis  particular  keep  the  rules. 
Bad  results  follow  from  petitioning.  Several  churclies 
a«k  for  tlie  same  person — all  cannot  be  gratified — conse- 
quently, heart-burning  is  engendered  towards  the  appoint- 
ing power.  I  verily  believe  by  it  injury  is  done  to  the  work, 
and  preachers  and  people  suffer  by  it.  Out  of  the  few 
known  to  the  station  or  Circuit,  the  selection  is  made  by 
the  committee  to  whose  care  this  matter  is  intrusted.  The 
Bishop,  assisted  by  the  Presiding  Elders — who  travel 
over  the  entire  work,  and  know  all  the  ministers — could, 
it  is  reasonable  to  suppose,  from  the  "whole,  make  selec- 
tions more  advantageously  and  profitably  to  all  parties 
than  they.  More  brethren,  by  this  means,  will  be  brought 
into  notice  ;  and  it  will  be  better  for  them,  and  will  place 
them  more  upon  an  equality  with  their  brethren ;  and 
our  stations  will,  by  this  arrangement,  ascertain  that 
there  are  men  of  the  brightest  genius,  men  of  sterling 
worth,  but,  owing  to  the  course  pursued,  never  placed  in 
positions  to  which  their  powers  fully  entitle  them.  In 
conclusion,  let  me  humbly,  but  sincerely,  urge  upon  both 
preachers  and  people  to  "  ask  for  the  old  paths,  where 
is  the  good  way,  and  walk  therein."  But  I  am  afraid 
Bome  will  be  differently  inclined,  and  say  "  we  will  not 
walk  therein."  I  would  not  be  understood  to  say  our 
petitioning  system  is  the  only  thing  that  keeps  a 
man  from  being  prominently  brought  forward.  The 
fault   is  sometimes  in  ourselves.     It  may  be  we   are 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  83 

Mutual  sacrifices. 

neglectful  in  our  studies,  and  we  do  not  attend  to  the 
pastoral  work,  and  we  may  not  be  as  fully  consecrated 
to  the  Lord  as  it  is  our  privilege.  In  most  cases,  if  a 
inan  is  faithful  in  all  respects,  he  will  be  "  known  and  read 
of  all  men,"  and  duly  appreciated;  and  the  appointing 
power  will  not  be  fearful  in  sending  him  anywhere.  Some 
will  urge  that  our  system  is  despotic,  and  that  the  people 
should  be  permitted  to  choose  their  pastors.  If  the 
people  have  the  privilege  of  choosing  their  preachers,  the 
preachers  should  have  the  privilege  of  choosing  their 
places.  This  would  destroy  our  itinerancy,  so  signally 
owned  of  God,  and  so  dreaded  by  Roman  Catholics ;  for, 
with  it,  we  can  keep  pace  with  them  in  carrying  the 
gospel  into  new  places,  and  with  it,  if  our  Church  proves 
faithful  in  all  respects,  we  will  reach  the  farthest  verge 
of  the  green  earth,  sooner  or  later.  Under  all  the  cir- 
cumstances, for  the  good  of  the  cause,  we  will,  I  trust, 
continue  mutually  to  make  sacrifices.  And  our  people 
must  never  lose  sight  of  the  fact,  that  the  pressure 
comes  more  heavily  upon  the  ministers  and  their  families 
than  on  any  other  person  or  persons.  May  the  Lord 
give  each  one  of  us  grace  to  enable  us  to  say,  in  this 
glorious  work,  "Neither  count  I  my  life  dear  unto  my- 
self, so  that  I  might  finish  my  course  with  joy,  and  the 
ministry,  which  I  have  received  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  to 
testify  the  gospel  of  the  grace  of  God." 


84         THIRTEEN  YEARS'  EXPERIENCE' 


CHAPTER  IV. 

Trip  to  Conference  in  a  Bay  Craft — Happy  Death — A  little  Bible 
Reader — Appearance  of  the  Town — Kindness  of  the  People — Rev. 
Henry  White — Divine  Influence  at  the  Conference — First  Quarterly 
Meeting  a  time  of  Revival — Be  kind  even  to  a  Drunkard — Life 
Membership  in  the  Missionary  Society — Baptize  a  large  number  of 
coloured  Children — Union  Camp  Meeting — The  Church  should  work 
when  God  works — The  Devil  sometimes  overleaps  the  Mark — Child- 
ren may  lead  their  Parents  to  Jesus — A  Song  of  Victory — A  deeply 
pious  young  Lady — A  faithful  Sunday  School  Labourer — Still  among 
the  Tombs — Preaching  at  Sunrise — Angels  are  interested  in  Revival 
Work — A  sudden  Death — Ministers  should  faithfully  warn  Sinners 
— A  very  stax-tling  Dream. 

IN  the  spring  of  1845,  the  Philadelphia  Annual  Con- 
ference was  held  in  Milford,  Delaware.  When  I 
arrived  in  Philadelphia,  on  my  way  to  Conference,  I  met 
with  a  gentleman,  Captain  George  Primrose,  who  invited 
me  to  take  passage  with  him  in  his  vessel.  The  invitation 
was  accepted.  The  winds  were  favourable,  and  the  trip 
every  way  pleasant.  We  had  religious  exercises  on 
board,  and  felt  that  we  were  not  only  sailing  for  an 
earthly  port,  but  for  the  Celestial  City.  Our  captain 
since  has  effected  an  entrance  into  the  heavenly  harbour. 
His  excellent  Christian  lady  followed  on  to  join  his 
society,  not  long  after.  Her  death  was  very  triumphant. 
She  had  pious  children ;  they  could  sing  sweetly  the  songs 
of  Zion,  and,  surrounding  the  couch  where  their  mother, 


IN  THE   ITINERANCY.  85 

A  mother  dying.  Interesting  little  girl, 

their  best  earthly  friend,  was  dying,  they  were  requested 
to  sing  the  hymn  beginning  with 

•'Joyfully,  joyfully,  onward  I  move, 
Bound  for  the  land  of  bright  spirits  above ; 
Angelic  choristers  sing  as  I  come, 
Joyfully,  joyfully,  haste  to  thy  home." 

Ere  this  stirring  hymn  was  concluded,  her  happy  spirit 
fled  to  join  those  loved  ones  who  watched  her  approaching 
the  shore. 

There  was  on  board  a  little  girl  of  the  Episcopal 
Church,  greatly  absorbed  in  her  Bible,  which  she  read 
almost  constantly,  and  she  conducted  herself  like  a 
Christian  of  much  riper  years.  I  found  her  heart  was 
in  the  Sunday  School  cause.  I  felt  that  such  a  pious, 
dignified  child  was  an  honour  to  her  parents.  I  thought 
the  direction  of  the  Holy  Scriptures  had  been,  in  her 
case,  adhered  to  :  "  Train  up  a  child  in  the  way  he  should 
go."  When  she  becomes  old,  may  she  "not  depart 
from  it  V 

The  town  looked  very  inviting.  It  seemed  to  me 
that  there  had  been  a  general  renovation.  Almost  every 
house  had  been  either  painted  or  whitewashed.  This  is 
one  of  the  largest  and  most  business  places  in  the  state. 
There  is  a  great  amount  of  sociability  in  this  place ;  and 
I  suppose  that  the  Conference  was  never  more  hospitably 
and  liberally  entertained.  The  different  families  all 
seemed  to  think  they  had  the  choice  or  best  preachers, 
8 


HQ  THIRTEEN   years'    EXPERIENCE 

Conference  kindly  entertained. 

and  the  preacliers  generally  seemed  to  be  under  the 
impression  that  they  had  the  best  homes.  A  person 
might  say  the  treatment  received  during  an  Annual  Con- 
ference, which  may  come  perhaps  to  a  given  place  only 
once  in  a  lifetime,  is  not  a  sufficient  test  of  the  general 
character  of  the  people  for  hospitality.  It  was  my  lot  to 
remain  in  Milford,  as  junior  preacher ;  and  the  opinion 
I  formed  during  the  session  of  the  Conference,  relative 
to  their  generosity,  became  strengthened  with  length  of 
acquaintance.  I  am  now  going  to  say,  what  cannot  be 
said  of  every  place  even  on  the  Methodistic  peninsula, 
that  my  greatest  difficulty  there,  during  the  year,  relative 
to  homes,  was  that  I  could  not  go  to  the  places  to  which 
I  was  invited  in  advance.  If  the  people  everywhere 
treated  their  young  preachers  as  they  did  in  Milford, 
there  would  be  no  necessity  of  boarding-house  arrange- 
ments, which  is  rather  a  new  thing  in  Methodism  on  our 
Circuits.  And  they  would  save  their  junior  ministers 
from  many  an  hour  of  sadness  and  anxiety  relative  to 
this  matter,  which,  to  them,  is  of  momentous  importance. 
Be  kind  to  the  homeless  young  itinerant.  "I  was  a 
stranger,  and  ye  took  me  in." 

The  Conference  sermon  on  the  first  day  was  preached 
by  the  venerable  and  aged  Rev.  Henry  White.  The 
sermon  was  exceedingly  plain,  as  always  has  been  his 
manner  throughout  his  long  ministerial  career.  Some 
felt  that  Father  White  was  too  severe,  especially  on  the 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  87 

Rev.  Henry  White. 

young  ministers ;  but,  as  a  general  thing,  it  was  received 
in  a  proper  spirit,  and  we  felt  that  we  would  try  to 
profit  by  it.  "Faithful  are  the  wounds  of  a  friend." 
Not  long  after  the  close  of  the  Conference  his  health 
failed,  and  from  that  day  to  the  present,  he  has  not  been 
efiective.  He  is  quite  feeble.  A  few  years  ago  he  had 
a  severe  attack  of  sickness,  and  it  so  happened  that  it 
was  my  privilege,  in  company  with  Bishop  Waugh,  to 
visit  him.  It  is  said,  "  Iron  sharpeneth  iron,  so  a  man 
sharpeneth  the  countenance  of  his  friend." 

Although  Father  White  had  been  somewhat  gloomy, 
the  sight  of  the  senior  Bishop,  with  whom  he  had  often 
Bat  in  council,  caused  him  to  revive.  And,  while  the 
Bishop  proceeded  to  inquire  if  the  gospel  which  he  had 
so  long  and  faithfully  preached  to  others  now  sustained 
and  comforted  him,  with  a  heart  gushing  with  love  to 
God  for  the  gift  of  his  only  begotten  Son,  he,  with  a 
tremulous  but  confiding  voice,  said,  "Though  he  slay 
me,  yet  will  I  trust  in  him."  An  appropriate  hymn  was 
■4ung,  and  one  of  the  most  fervent  prayers  I  ever  listened 
^,0,  was  ofi"ered  by  the  good  Bishop,  and  the  presence  of 
Grod  filled  all  the  house.  We  parted  with  throbbing  hearts, 
for  we  thought  that  we  should  "see  his  face  no  more." 
Eternity  alone  will  disclose  the  myriads  converted 
through  his  instrumentality.  He  was  long  a  faithful 
Presiding  Elder,  which  was  the  last  appointment  he  ever 


88         THIRTEEN  years'  EXPERIENCE 

Presiding  Eldership.  Remarkable  conversion. 

filled.  And,  in  the  district  where  he  was  called  upon 
to  labour,  I  never  heard  a  murmur  against  this   office. 

I  am  one  who  firmly  believes  in  the  utility  of  the 
Presiding  Eldership,  and  I  consider  it  requisite  to  the 
existence  of  the  itinerancy.  Great  care  and  pains  should 
be  taken,  however,  to  procure  men  of  the  right  stamp.  This 
done,  and  all  will  feel  it  is  an  indispensable  arrangement 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  This  servant  of  God 
in  this  office,  or  elsewhere,  did  "speak  and  exhort,  and 
rebuke  with  all  authority."  A  little  while  before  he 
failed,  at  a  camp  meeting,  I  listened  to  a  powerful 
exhortation  delivered  by  him.  It  reached  many  hearts. 
I  saw  a  young  man  tremble  ;  he  made  an  effort  to  leave ; 
he  commenced  running  away  from  the  place  where  the 
Holy  Spirit  was  doing  a  great  work.  I  whispered  to 
Father  White,  told  him  the  fact,  and  pointed  out  the 
person.  He  instantly  exclaimed,  "  Young  man,  fly  not 
from  the  Spirit,  grieve  not  the  Holy  Ghost ;  come  back 
and  get  converted,  or  you  will  be  damned  as  sure  as  the 
devil  is  damned !"  He  turned  instantly,  retraced  his 
steps,  and  was  happily  converted  in  a  little  while. 

Many  persons  seemed  to  be  greatly  afraid  of  Father 
White ;  and  I  am  frank  to  confess,  until  I  formed  his 
acquaintance  intimately,  this  was  my  own  feeling.  The 
first  camp  meeting  which  I  ever  was  at  with  him,  a 
circumstance  took  place  bearing  on  this  point,  which  I 
will  take  the  liberty  to  relate.  The  ministers  at  night 
had  generally  retired ;  I  was  the  last  one  that  sought 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  89 

Anecdote  of  Father  White. 

for  "nature's  sweet  restorer."  The  meeting  was  very 
interesting  at  the  mourner's  aisle,  and  I  was  rejoicing 
over  the  conversion  of  some  dear  friends  until  a  late 
hour.  When  I  entered  the  church,  which  was  near  the 
camp  ground,  and  which  was  used  as  a  lodging  place 
for  the  ministers,  each  bed  was  occupied  by  two  brethren, 
except  the  one  where  Father  White  was  sweetly  reposing. 
I  quietly  retired  by  his  side,  and  felt  I  was  highly 
honoured  to  sleep  with  such  a  venerable  man.  I  took 
the  position  with  a  degree  of  fear  and  trembling,  but 
did  hope  that  all  would  be  well.  I  soon  fell  asleep ; 
but  as  I  went  to  sleep  happy,  and  in  quite  a  rejoicing 
frame  of  mind,  in  my  sleep  I  shouted  too  much  for  my 
venerable  associate.  Said  he,  "Brother,  you  shout  and 
go  on  at  such  a  rate  I  can't  sleep.  I  wish  you  had 
finished  this  matter  before  you  came  to  bed.  There  is 
time  for  all  things."  The  stern  manner  in  which  he 
addressed  me,  caused  me  suddenly  to  make  my  escape, 
and  I  betook  myself  to  the  floor  for  the  residue  of  the 
night,  greatly  annoyed  in  my  mind  at  the  idea  that  I 
had  been  the  means  of  disturbing  the  repose  of  the 
faithful  Presiding  Elder  of  the  district.  But,  notwith- 
standing this  repulse,  I  loved  him  still.  He  is  a 
diamond  of  the  purest  water.  And,  when  the  period 
shall  come  for  him  to  leave  the  shores  of  mortality,  it 
may  well  be  said,  "  There  is  a  prince  and  a  great  man 
fallen  this  day  in  Israel." 
8* 


90  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

Revivals  to  be  sought  at  Conference. 

There  was  much  power,  not  only  in  Father  White's 
sermon  at  Conference,  but  the  ministers  generally  were 
most  happy  in  then-  pulpit  performances,  so  much  so 
that  sinners  were  awakened  and  converted  during  the 
session.  This  was  a  primitive  Conference  in  this  re- 
spect ;  and  I  think  that,  at  our  sessions,  we  ought  to 
labour  for  the  conversion  of  souls.  It  is  true  there  is 
other  business  to  be  adjusted,  but  is  there  not  time  for 
both  ?  And  is  not  getting  people  converted  the  most 
important  business  in  the  world  ?  And  there  are  many, 
a  large  majority  of  the  Conference,  not  deeply  immersed 
in  business.  May  we  all  feel  like  praying,  "  0  Lord 
revive  thy  work"  at  the  sessions  of  our  Conferences ! 
Would  not  these  occasions  then  be,  to  those  places, 
where  they  are  held,  "  the  savour  of  life  unto  life  ?" 
The  ministers,  at  this  Conference,  heartily  entered 
into  the  work,  not  only  of  preaching,  but  exhortation, 
prayer,  and  praise.  The  singing  was  delightful.  I 
never  heard  sweeter  music  than  fell  upon  my  ear  and 
heart  at  that  session.  My  brethren  in  the  ministry  will 
remember  our  worthy  and  deeply  pious  Spry.  He  ap- 
peared to  be  on  Pisgah's  top  ;  and,  while  he  did  in 
almost  angelic  strains  sing  many  pieces,  the  "  Sonnet" 
was  his  favourite,  beginning, 

"When  for  eternal  -worlds  I  steer." 

I  noticed  the  lamented  Pitman,  then  Secretary  of  the 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  91 

Rev.  Charles  Pitman.  Revival  in  Mispillion  Neck. 

Missionary  Society  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
listening  with  deepest  interest,  with  tears  coursing  down 
his  cheeks,  at  the  music  as  it  poured  from  lips  touched 
with  fire  taken  "  from  off  the  altar,"  and  from  hearts 
swelling  with  pure  seraphic  joy.  Brother  Pitman  re- 
marked, "  I  never  heard  the  like  before,  and  never  shall 
perhaps  again,  until  I  listen  to  the  choristers  of  glory !" 
How  solemn  the  thought  that  both  Brother  Pitman 
and  Brother  Spry,  who  were  then  in  their  prime,  and 
bid  fair  to  live  and  labour  in  the  Church  below  many 
years,  have  been  struck  down  in  the  midst  of  their  great 
usefulness !     With  them 

"  The  battle  is  fought,  the  race  is  won." 

The  revival,  that  commenced  in  Milford  at  the  Con- 
ference, followed  us  at  our  first  Quarterly  Meeting, 
which  was  held  in  Mispillion  Neck,  in  the  month  of 
May.  Father  White  was  with  us,  and  preached  Satur- 
day and  Sunday  in  great  power.  Unexpectedly  a  glo- 
rious revival  broke  out,  that  continued  throughout  the 
entire  year  at  that  place.  A  new  class  was  here  formed, 
and  Jonathan  Sipple,  one  of  the  best  of  men,  now  no 
more,  was  appointed  leader.  The  revival  influence 
moved  the  whole  community,  and  the  people  came  from 
every  part  of  the  Neck.  And,  among  others,  some  of 
the  votaries  of  Bacchus  came ;  and,  one  night,  I  was  led 
to  quote,  in  my  sermon,  "  No  drunkard  shall  inherit  the 


92  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

Disorderly  drunkard.  Missionary  meetings. 

kingdom  of  God."  A  man  in  the  gallery  vociferated, 
^'That  is  a  lie /"  with  a  horrible  oath  to  it.  The  meet- 
ing was  very  much  disturbed,  and  the  official  members 
of  the  church  were  prompt  in  removing  him,  and  they 
were  disposed  to  put  the  law  in  force  against  him.  I 
interceded  for  him,  and  the  brethren  concluded,  if  he 
would  never  do  so  again,  they  would  excuse  him.  The 
next  night  he  was  sober,  and  "  in  his  right  mind."  He 
was  that  night  the  very  first  man  who  came  to  the  altar 
as  a  penitent,  and  professed  to  be  converted  to  God. 

We  held  at  this  appointment  a  missionary  meeting, 
which  was  something  new  for  Mispillion  Neck.  The 
contributions  were  liberal,  and,  I  want  to  say  for  their 
credit,  that  they,  that  day,  paid  respect  to  me,  beyond 
what  had  ever  been  done  up  to  that  time  anywhere,  viz. 
by  making  me  a  life  member  of  the  Parent  Missionary 
Society.  The  night  of  the  afternoon  that  I  held  this 
missionary  meeting,  my  esteemed  colleague,  Rev.  James 
L.  Houston,  held  a  similar  one  in  the  town  of  Milford. 
I  reached  his  meeting  just  awhile  after  he  began  to  make 
his  appeal  for  aid.  The  money  seemed  to  come  in  rather 
slowly.  I  felt  stirred  to  go  on  the  platform,  and  made 
the  following  speech :  "  Christian  friends,  it  is  fre- 
quently said  that  Mispillion  Neck  is  a  wicked  place, 
and  it  is  sometimes  called  Turkey !  owing  to  the  fact 
that  it  has  been  a  wicked  place.  All  I  have  to  say  is, 
if  you  will  here,  in  highly  favoured  Milford,  do  just  as 


IN  THE  ITINERANCY.  93 


Coloured  children  baptized. 


■well,  considering  everything,  for  the  missionary  cause, 
as  Turkey,  this  very  afternoon,  has  done,  I  shall  be 
abundantly  satisfied,  and  the  collection  will  be  superior 
to  anything  ever  known  in  this  place  for  this  glorious 
cause."  Then  I  stated  to  them  the  amount,  and  told 
of  the  courtesy  that  they  had  shown  to  me.  This  had 
a  good  effect,  and  told  favourably  in  the  missionary  col- 
lection that  night. 

The  camp  meeting  held  this  year  at  Pratt's  Branch 
did  our  Circuit  much  good,  especially  those  appoint- 
ments near  it.  The  morning  it  broke  up,  at  least  thirty 
joined  for  different  points  on  our  circuit.  At  the  Con- 
ference, held  at  Milford,  I  was  ordained  with  others  a 
deacon,  which  gave  me  authority  to  baptize.  At  this 
camp  I  was  requested  to  baptize  a  few  coloured  children. 
I  mentioned  it  to  the  preacher  in  charge  of  the  Circuit. 
He  requested  me  to  comply  with  their  wishes.  There 
was  a  large  number  of  coloured  people  in  attendance, 
and  the  rising  generation  was  well  represented;  and, 
before  I  stopped,  one  hundred  and  twenty  coloured 
children  were,  in  this  way,  dedicated  to  the  Lord.  I 
took  the  most  of  them  in  my  arms.  Some  were  rather 
too  stout  for  this.  I  felt,  when  this  service  was  finished, 
I  was  much  fatigued.  But  if  this  tired  me,  what  must 
have  been  the  circumstances  of  John  the  Baptist,  who 
baptized  thousands  in  a  short  space  of  time,  and  some 
suppose  that  they  were  all  adults,  and  that  the  mode 


94         THIRTEEN  YEARS'  EXPERIENCE 


Union  camp  meeting. 


was  immersion  ?  Although  our  Baptist  friends  ridicule 
the  idea  of  baptizing  children,  we  still  feel  authorized 
to  do  so,  and  expect  in  this  work  to  persevere,  for  it  is 
written,  "  Suffer  the  little  children  to  come  unto  me,  and 
forbid  tliem  not,  for  of  such  is  the  kingdom  of  God. 
And  he  took  them  up  in  his  arms,  and  put  his  hands  upon 
them,  and  blessed  them."  Thank  God  !  "  The  promise 
is  unto  us,  and  unto  our  children." 

There  was  held  this  season  a  very  interesting  union 
camp  meeting,  between  our  Circuit  and  Seaford,  at 
Rosse's  Woods,  near  Bridgeville.  This  is  an  old  ground ; 
it  has  become  rather  popular,  and  it  is  now  a  place  of 
fashionable  resort;  nevertheless,  many  precious  souls 
were  this  season  happily  converted.  Bridgeville  and 
Seaford,  being  near,  were  more  especially  benefited. 
Some  other  contiguous  appointments,  however,  and  also 
Milford,  though  somewhat  remote,  felt  powerfully  the 
influence  of  that  meeting.  A  small  proportion  of  our 
society  were  in  attendance.  They  carried  home  with 
them  the  camp-fire,  and  it  did  swiftly  run.  A  pro- 
tracted meeting,  from  the  force  of  heavenly  influences, 
was  immediately  held,  which  resulted  in  the  conversion 
of  many  precious  souls.  There  was  in  consequence 
*' great  joy  in  that  city,"  or  town.  It  is  better  for  us  to 
hold  extra  meetings,  even  if  it  be  in  the  summer  time, 
when  there  is  "a  shaking  among  the  dry  bones,"  than 
to  make  our  arrangements  several  weeks  previously,  and 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  95 

Remarkable  conversion  of  a  young  lady. 

announce  that  we  will  hold  such  a  meeting,  and  toil  for 
days  and  weeks,  and  accomplish  but  little,  if  any  good. 
Whenever  God  works  we  ought  to  be  co-workers  with 
him,  and  act  on  the  word  of  the  Lord,  "  Now  is  the  ac- 
cepted time,  behold,  now  is  the  day  of  salvation." 

The  following  circumstance  illustrates  the  saying 
that  the  devil  sometimes  overshoots  the  mark : — There 
was  in  attendance  at  the  camp  meeting  a  young  lady, 
much  infatuated  with  this  fashionable  world.  The  work 
of  conversion  was  gloriously  progressing  at  the  altar, 
in  what  we  call  the  mourners'  aisle.  She  was  invited 
to  go  forward,  and  seek  religion.  She  said  positively, 
"before  she  would  do  that  she  would  run  the  risk  of 
being  damned,  or,  ir»  other  words,  of  going  to  hell !" 
She  was  a  lady  of  honour  and  feeling,  and  she  was 
blessed  with  praying  friends,  and  connected  with  one  of 
the  most  influential  families,  and  who  were,  some  of  them 
at  least,  among  the  first  fruits  of  Methodism  in  the  State 
of  Delaware.  The  expressions  which  she  uttered  at  the 
camp  meeting  tormented  her,  and,  although  it  seemed  to 
be  a  great  deal  for  a  young  lady  to  say,  still  it  proved 
to  be  the  means  of  her  salvation  ;  for,  immediately  after 
the  close  of  the  camp  meeting  she  humbly  bowed  at  the 
foot  of  the  cross  in  our  protracted  meeting  at  this  point, 
in  broad  daylight,  and  was  savingly  converted.  She 
followed  the  example  of  Naaman,  who  went  away  in  a 
rage,  when  the  prophet  commanded  him  to  "  dip  seven 


96  THIRTEEN   years'    EXPERIENCE 

A  little  girl  converted. 

times  in  Jordan;"  but,  finally,  he  made  the  experiment, 
his  proud  heart  and  national  pride  yielded,  and  the 
efiects  were  salutary.  "  His  flesh  came  again  as  the 
flesh  of  a  little  child."  So  this  young  lady  was  cleansed 
in  the  blood  of  Jesus,  and  made  happy  in  God. 

At  this  protracted  meeting  there  were  some  deeply- 
interesting  cases  of  conversion.  A  very  young  and 
interesting  female,  about  twelve  years  of  age,  meekly 
bowed  at  the  foot  of  the  cross,  and  remembered  her 
Creator  in  the  days  of  her  youth.  This  had  a  most  ex- 
cellent effect  on  her  parents.  They  did  not  act  a3 
some  parents  do,  viz.,  oppose  their  child,  and  hedge  up 
her  way,  but  they  encouraged  her  in  deed  and  in  truth, 
by  likewise  giving  their  hearts  to  God;  and  although 
they  had  not  been  trained  in  the  Methodist,  but  another 
branch  of  the  Church,  yet  they  heartily  said  to  their 
little  daughter,  who  had  joined  the  Methodists,  "  Thy 
people  shall  be  my  people,  and  thy  God  my  God."  I 
want  my  young  readers  not  to  forget  that  Sabbath 
School  children  can  be  converted,  and  can  also  lead  their 
parents  and  friends  to  the  loving  arms  of  Jesus,  and 
into  the  bosom  of  the  Church.  "A  little  child  shall 
lead  them."  *'  Out  of  the  mouth  of  babes  and  sucklings 
Thou  hast  perfected  praise."  The  children  shouted 
hosannah  to  the  Son  of  David,  when  the  chief  priests 
owned  him  not,  but  despised  and  rejected  him.  I  look 
to  our  Sabbath  Schools  as  our  strongest  bulwark,  and 
would  urge  our  Sunday  School  labourers  not  to  think  for 


IN  THE   ITINERANCY.  97 

Father  led  to  Christ  by  his  little  daughter. 

a  moment  that  tlie  work  in  which  they  are  engaged  is 
of  small  import.  Those  little  ones  must  be  converted. 
This  being  done,  as  in  the  case  I  have  referred  to,  they 
will  win  others  to  the  cross ;  their  preaching  is  irresisti- 
ble. I  knew  one  to  embrace  religion  who  was  very  young. 
She  instantly  inquired,  "  Where  is  my  father  ?"  He 
was  pointed  out  to  her.  She  went  to  him  in  a  run,  fell 
upon  his  neck,  and  kissed  him,  and  sweetly  said,  "  0 
father !  father  !  come  to  Jesus,  just  now."  She  led  him 
herself  to  the  altar.  He  had  resisted  many  sermons 
and  appeals  from  the  sacred  desk ;  but,  with  this  influ- 
ence brought  to  bear  upon  him,  he  was  constrained  to 

say— 

^  <'I  yield,  I  yield,  I  can  hold  out  no  more," 

A  young  man,  the  child  of  many  prayers,  was  seen 
with  the  multitude,  prostrate  at  the  feet  of  Jesus.  He 
was,  after  a  hard  struggle,  set  free  from  the  bondage  of 
sin.  At  the  close  of  the  meeting,  many  of  us  accom- 
panied him  to  his  paternal  home.  The  venerable  father 
and  mother  had  retired  to  rest.  They  were  aroused  from 
their  slumbers,  ere  we  reached  the  house,  by  the  singing 
of  a  sacred  song  of  triumph,  which  we  did  heartily,  all 
the  way  from  the  house  of  God  to  the  home  of  this  in- 
teresting young  man.     The  chorus  of  which  was — 

"Victory,  victory,  when  we've  gained  the  victory, 

0  how  happy  we  shall  be, 

When  we've  gained  the  victory." 
9 


98  THIRTEEN   YEARS*    EXPERIENCE 

Mother  rejoicing  over  her  son's  conversion. 

The  parents — the  mother,  particularly — (how  strong 
is  the  aflfection  of  a  Christian  mother  for  a  child,  and 
especiallj  a  converted  child !)  forgot  the  gravity  of  age, 
and  leaped,  and  praised  God,  and  there  were  none  to 
make  her  or  any  of  us  afraid ;  for  the  whole  town  felt 
the  mighty  influence  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  more  or  less. 
Some,  that  were  brought  to  God  through  that  revival, 
which  the  Lord  himself  started  and  carried  t)n  in  his 
own  way,  have,  ere  this,  crossed  Jordan's  stream,  which 
was  to  them  narrowed  down  to  a  very  small  rivulet,  so 
that  they  could,  being  bidden  and  comforted  by  Jesus, 
step  over  with  but  little  difficulty.  "  Thanks  be  unto 
God,  who  giveth  us  the  victory"  over  the  king  of  ter- 
rors ! 

I  must  be  permitted  particularly  to  refer  to  an  inte- 
resting young  lady,  Miss  Fanny  Darby.  She  in  early 
life  sustained  the  greatest  earthly  loss  that  mortals  can 
sustain — I  mean  she  was  left  without  a  mother.  And 
who  can  fill  the  place  of  a  mother  ?  She  grew  up  to 
womanhood,  in  a  measure  lost  sight  of  the  fact  that  she 
was  an  orphan,  and  was  inclined  to  be  gay  and  thought- 
less. There  were  evidences,  however,  that  she  possessed 
rare  qualities ;  even  before  her  conversion  to  God  she 
delighted  to  be  employed  in  the  work  of  a  Sabbath 
School,  in  which  she  had  been  nurtured.  No  better 
place  for  an  orphan  to  go  to  than  a  Sabbath  School ;  for 
here  we   may  appropriately  say   God   has   kings   and 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY  99 

Miss  Fanny  Darby. 

queens,  and  they  are  to  the  orphan,  and  others  placed 
under  their  care,  "  nursing  fathers  and  nursing  mo- 
thers." 

When  our  revival  in  Milford  broke  out,  we  all  de- 
sired that  this  much  esteemed  young  lady  should  be  con- 
secrated fully  to  God's  service.  With  much  timidity, 
but  deep  emotion  of  heart  and  tear-bathed  cheeks,  she 
bowed  at  the  altar  and  piteously  asked  an  interest  in  our 
prayers,  and  entreated  God  to  be  merciful  to  her  a  sin- 
ner. She  did  not  seek  in  vain,  and  from  that  glad  hour 
in  her  history  to  the  day  of  her  death,  she  was  emi- 
nently pious ;  her  soul  and  body,  her  all  was  consecrated 
to  the  service  of  the  Lord.  A  brighter  example  of 
Christian  perfection,  perhaps,  I  never  saw.  She  desired 
all  the  help  she  could  obtain  from  her  Christian  friends 
by  Christian  conference,  and  correspondence.  In  reply 
to  a  letter  I  addressed  to  this  young  Christian,  she  said, 
*'  I  have  ever  esteemed  it  a  privilege  to  correspond  with 
a  friend  in  whose  Christian  character  I  had  confidence, 
and  on  whose  Christian  counsel  I  might  with  safety  de- 
pend. Of  all  classes  of  individuals  there  are  certainly 
none  more  capable  of  improving  the  mind  and  heart  in 
the  ways  of  truth  than  a  faithful  minister  of  the  Gospel. 
Such  a  friend  and  minister  I  am  sure  I  have  a  right  to 
consider  you."  In  the  same  letter  she  remarks,  "To 
you  I  feel  I  owe  a  debt  of  untold  gratitude,  for  the  in- 
terest you  have  ever  manifested  in  my  spiritual  welfare. 


100        THIRTEEN  years'  EXPERIENCE 


Miss  Darby's  devotion  to  the  cause. 


especially  when  I  was  so  blind  and  ignorant  concerning 
everything  that  made  for  my  eternal  peace.  Since  that 
time,  I  trust,  I  have  found  a  never-failing  source  of 
light,  a  star  that  will  guide  all  who  will  fix  their  trusting 
eyes  upon  it,  safe  through  this  world  of  change  and 
trial  to  a  brighter  and  better  above  the  skies." 

Thus  consecrated  to  God,  in  addition  to  her  natural 
amiable  spirit,  which  gave  her  influence,  and  made  her 
a  general  favourite,  she  was  calculated  to  do  much  good 
in  the  circles  in  which  she  moved.  Her  highest  ambi- 
tion was  to  be  holy  and  useful.  She  took  an  active  part 
in  a  revival,  in  the  town  of  Milford,  a  very  short  period 
before  her  death,  and  had  the  pleasure  of  leading  some 
of  her  young  friends  and  associates  to  the  blessed  Sa- 
viour. She  stated  to  me,  in  a  letter  relating  to  this  re- 
vival, "You  have  no  doubt  heard  of  our  interesting 
meeting,  and  of  the  many  that  are  coming  over  to  the 
Lord's  side.  Among  the  number  are  our  friends,  V.  G., 
S.  E.  A.,  P.  G.,  and  others,  all  happily  converted,  and 
rejoicing  in  a  Saviour's  love." 

The  extracts  I  have  made  from  her  own  writing,  will 
show  in  what  element  this  interesting  young  lady  de- 
lighted to  live.  She  saw  the  vanity  of  earthly  things  ; 
she  had  tried  them,  having 

*<  Souglit  round  the  verdant  earth 
For  unfading  joy." 

But  her  experience  taught  her  the  lesson,  that 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  101 


Her  death.  Her  tomb. 


(( 


Each  pleasure  hath  its  poison,  too, 
And  every  sweet  a  snare." 


In  the  service  of  the  Lord,  however,  she  found  true 
happiness,  and  pleasure  unalloyed.  May  I  be  permitted 
to  suggest  to  my  young  female  friends,  that  no  earthly 
adornment  will  compare  with  the  meek  and  quiet  spirit 
that  characterizes  the  true  Christian ;  and  that  nothing 
will  make  them  so  useful  in  society  as  a  holy  heart  and 
a  spotless  Christian  life ;  and  that  nothing,  save  this,  will 
cause  them  to  shine  in  Heaven  as  the  stars  of  the  firma- 
ment. 

In  the  month  of  October,  1848,  she,  after  a  very 
brief  illness,  at  the  residence  of  a  relative  in  the  town 
of  Dover,  found  "  the  weary  wheels  of  life  to  stand  still." 
It  was  my  privilege  to  see  her  for  a  short  time,  a  few 
hours  before  her  death,  and,  although  she  was  insensible, 
she  seemed  to  be  contemplating  heavenly  things,  and  her 
countenance  appeared  to  me  to  shine  like  the  counte- 
nance of  an  angel. 

In  the  spring  of  1855,  I  visited  Milford.  Solitary 
and  alone,  I  rambled  through  the  "  old  churchyard," 
connected  with  our  denomination,  and,  for  a  season,  my 
"  meditations  were  among  the  tombs."  Among  the  first 
I  observed  minutely,  was  the  one  erected  in  memory  of 
the  Christian  young  lady  of  whom  I  am  now  writing,  by 
a  devoted  friend.  Her  devotion  to  the  cause  of  religion 
had  deeply  impressed  this  gay  young  friend's  heart  in 
9* 


102  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

Last  call  to  an  interesting  young  man. 

favour  of  religion ;  and  through  her,  he  was  "  almost 
persuaded  to  be  a  Christian."  He  too  has  been  struck 
down  by  death  in  the  morning  of  his  life.  Family  influ- 
ence, honour,  wealth,  nor  any  other  possession  can  ward 
off  the  blow  of  the  king  of  terrors.  It  was  my  privilege, 
about  two  weeks  before  his  death,  to  preach  to  him,  no 
doubt,  the  last  sermon  he  ever  heard.  I  knew  the  natural 
goodness  of  his  heart ;  I  knew  he  had  been  impressed ; 
and  at  the  close  of  the  sermon,  I  took  up  the  cross  before 
a  large  audience  in  the  city  of  "Wilmington,  and  urged 
him  personally,  to  "  seek  the  Lord  while  he  might  be 
found."  How  well  I  recollect  his  gentlemanly  deport- 
ment on  that  occasion ;  and  I  saw  the  sparkling  tear ; 
but  he  said  familiarly,  "Not  to-night,  Brother  Manship, 
but  at  some  other  time,  I  intend  to  be  a  Christian."  In 
theory,  both  he  and  his  talented  father,  Hon.  J.  M.  C, 
were  Christians.  The  latter,  on  all  proper  occasions,  is 
ready  to  defend  Christianity.  He  has  read  and 
studied  the  Bible  closely ;  and  his  mother  was  a  con- 
sistent member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  I 
once  heard  him  say  in  a  stage,  "  I  have  frequent  contro- 
versies with  infidels  at  AVashington.  I  have  read  many 
works  on  the  Evidences  of  Christianity  ;  but  there  never 
was  anything  that  so  fully  convinced  me  of  the  truth  of 
the  Christian  religion,  as  the  Lord's  Prayer  and  the 
Sermon  on  the  Mount."  He  has  read  also  the  words  of 
our  Saviour  to  Nicodemus :  "  Verily  I  say  unto  you,  ye 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  103 

Hon,  John  M.  Clayton.  Miss  R.  A.  Sipple. 

must  be  born  again."  My  readers  will  perceive  tbat  my 
allusions  are  to  Mr.  Clayton  of  Delaware,  long  a  promi- 
nent member  of  the  United  States  Senate,  and  Secretary 
of  State  under  General  Taylor. 

My  eye,  on  this  occasion,  fell  upon  the  spot  where 
sleeps  the  dust  of  another  esteemed  friend,  Miss  R.  A. 
Sipple,  whose  acquaintance  I  formed  while  I  travelled 
Milford  Circuit,  and  whose  friendship  I  enjoyed  as  long 
as  she  lived.  May  it  be  renewed  in  Heaven  !  I  believe 
ia  the  recognition  of  friends  in  the  Better  Land. 

She  was  the  child  of  truly  pious  parents,  and  of 
many  prayers.  She  came  of  a  good  old  Methodist  stock. 
Her  father  and  mother  were  faithful  members  of  the 
Church ;  they  loved  all  her  means  of  grace ;  particularly 
did  her  father,  as  this  young  friend  has  told  me,  appre- 
ciate camp  meetings.  He  died  some  years  before  I 
travelled  the  Circuit ;  and  this  child  of  whom  I  am 
speaking,  felt  the  necessity,  especially  after  losing  her 
earthly  father,  to  cry  to  God,  "  My  Father,  thou  art  the 
guide  of  my  youth."  She  also  felt  it  a  high  privilege  to 
worship  the  God  of  her  father  in  the  tented  grove.  But 
young  as  she  was,  disease  of  a  fatal  but  slow  character, 
in  the  form  of  consumption,  took  hold  of  her ;  and  for  a 
number  of  years  before  her  death,  she  was  not  permitted, 
to  any  great  extent,  to  be  thus  gratified.  Her  health, 
however,  did  not  prevent  her  from  being  at  her  post 
in  the  public  worship  at  God's  house.     In  the  class 


104  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

A  faithful  Sunday  School  teacher. 

room  she  was  generally  present,  and  her  experience  was 
thrilling,  and  calculated  to  impress  all  that  she  had  sat 
at  the  Master's  feet,  and  learned  of  him.  But  this 
young  friend  shone  with  greater  lustre  perhaps  in  the 
Sunday  School  room,  than  anywhere  else.  She  was  in 
this  department  a  "golden  candlestick;"  and,  in  con- 
nexion with  kindred  spirits,  so  radiated  there,  as  to  make 
the  Sabbath  School  of  that  place  one  of  the  most 
interesting  with  which  it  has  ever  been  my  lot  to  be 
associated.  Such  a  teacher  could  not  fail  to  allure 
the  tender  children  to  the  embrace  of  the  religion  of 
Jesus,  of  whom  it  is  said  by  the  Prophet :  "He  shall 
gather  the  lambs  with  his  arm,  and  carry  them  in  his 
bosom."  The  loss  sustained  by  the  Church  in  that 
place  was  great,  when  in  this  instance,  "  the  silver  cord 
was  loosed,  and  the  golden  bowl  broken,"  and  the  dust 
of  that  faithful  Sunday  School  labourer  "returned  to 
the  earth  as  it  was."  And,  while  looking  upon  the  mar- 
ble which,  marked  the  resting  place  of  this  pious  friend, 
I  felt  that  all  the  Church,  and  especially  the  Sabbath 
School,  if  called  upon,  would  unite  with  me  in  exclaiming : 

"Sister,  thou  wast  mild  and  lovely, 
Gentle  as  the  summer  breeze  ; 
Pleasant  as  the  air  of  evening, 
When  it  floats  among  the  trees. 

*<  Peaceful  be  thy  silent  slumber, 
Peaceful  in  the  grave  so  low  • 


IN  THE   ITINERANCY.  10f» 


A  bereared  mother. 


Thou  no  more  "wilt  join  our  number — 
Thou  no  more  our  songs  shalt  know. 

**  Yet  again  we  hope  to  meet  thee, 
When  the  day  of  life  is  fled ; 
Then  in  Heaven  with  joy  to  greet 'thee, 
Where  no  farewell  tear  is  shed." 

There,  too,  I  glanced  at  the  monument  of  undying 
maternal  love,  reared  upon  the  spot  of  earth  which 
conceals  the  mortal  remains  of  a  loved  one,  "who  now 
sweetly  sleeps  near  the  resting  place  of  the  two  Christian 
females  already  named.  "  She  was  the  only  daughter 
of  her  mother,  and  she  was  a  widow."  I  thought  of  the 
deprivation.  Lovely,  intelligent,  pious;  her  mother's 
heart  clung  to  this  object  of  her  ajSection  especially, 
because  all  her  near  kindred  "  had  passed  on  before,"  and 
this  only  daughter  was  the  solace  of  her  heart  in  her 
declining  years.  Many  a  time  I  have  heard  this  aged 
mother  eloquently  refer  to  her  blasted  earthly  hopes, 
and  I  have  wept  with  those  who  wept.  Doubtless  it 
would  have  pierced  one's  heart  to  have  beheld  the  tender 
mother,  following  the  breathless  corpse  of  her  amiable  and 
only  child  to  her  long  home.  AVhile  I  stood  and  mused 
upon  the  scenes  with  which  I  was  surrounded,  in  my 
imagination  I  saw  my  dear  friend,  who  was  about  to 
bury  her  earthly  hopes,  drowned  with  tears  and  over- 
whelmed with  sorrows — stand  like  a  weeping  statue. 
She  wrings  her  hands,  and  floods  pour  from  her  eyes. 


106  THIRTEEN   TEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

Comforting  reflections. 

The  obsequies  are  over;  througliout  their  performance 
all  hearts  had  melted,  all  eyes  had  overflowed ;  for  she 
and  hers  were  universally  beloved.  The  heart-broken 
mother  advances  to  the  brink  of  the  grave.  All  her 
soul  is  in  her  eyes.  She  fastens  one  more  look  upon  the 
dear  object  before  the  pit  shuts  its  mouth  upon  her; 
and,  as  she  looks,  she  cries  in  broken  accents :  "  fare- 
well, my  daughter !  my  daughter !  my  only  beloved  I 
would  God  I  had  died  for  thee  !  Farewell,  my  child  ! 
and  farewell  all  my  earthly  happiness !  I  shall  never 
more  see  good  in  the  land  of  the  living.  Attempt  not 
to  comfort  me.  I  will  go  mourning  all  my  days,  till  my 
gray  hairs  come  down  w^ith  sorrow  to  the  grave !" 

But  I  thought,  after  the  paroxysms  of  grief  were 
over,  my  aged  friend  would,  as  doubtless  she  might, 
soliloquize  in  the  manner  following : — "  I  have  cultivated 
her  morals,  and  tried  to  secure  her  immortal  interests. 
She  in  early  life  bowed  to  the  sceptre  of  God's  word, 
renounced  the  pomps  and  vanities  of  the  world,  and  now 
basks  in  more  than  a  mother's  love."  Indeed,  to  my 
certain  knowledge,  that  once  heart-broken  mother  feels 
that,  although  she  has  committed  this  last  pledge  of 
maternal  affection  to  the  dust  (and  how  dear  to  a  lonely 
widow  is  an  only  daughter,  with  the  charms  which  she 
possessed),  she  has  cheering  hopes  of  receiving  her  again 
to  her  arms,  "  inexpressibly  improved  in  every  noble 
and  endearing  accomplishment." 


IN  THE   ITINERANCY.  107 

Left  the  churchyard  profited. 

From  the  time  I  travelled  Milford  Circuit,  until  I 
perambulated  the  solemn  place  of  burial  connected  with 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  that  place,  nine  years 
had  passed  away.  And,  with  the  flight  of  those  yearg, 
my  observation  taught  me  that  death  had  been  doing  his 
work,  and  that  many,  with  whom  I  had  spent  happy 
hours  and  taken  sweet  counsel,  were  here  embraced  in 
the  icy  arms  of  death.  I  left  that  sacred  spot  greatly 
benefited,  I  trust,  but  ready  to  say,  "  Rest,  then,  ye 
precious  relics,  within  this  hospitable  gloom.  Rest  in 
gentle  slumbers,  till  the  last  trumpet  shall  give  the 
welcome  signal,  and  sound  aloud  through  all  your  silent 
mansions :  Arise,  shine  ;  for  your  light  is  come,  and  the 
glory  of  the  Lord  is  risen  upon  you." 

"  These  lively  hopes  we  owe, 
Lord,  to  thy  dying  love  ; 
0  may  we  bless  thy  grace  below, 
And  sing  thy  grace  above." 

Throughout  our  entire  Circuit  we  had  a  good  work ; 
and  as  the  people  were  kind,  and  my  colleague.  Rev. 
James  L.  Houston,  pleasant,  I  may  say  a  perfect  gentle- 
man and  Christian,  and  an  excellent  minister,  I  felt  a 
desire  that  I  might  be  permitted  to  remain  another  year. 
But  it  was  ordered  otherwise,  and  this  was,  probably, 
the  more  excellent  way.  At  my  last  appointment,  at  a 
small  week-day  preaching  place,  I  gave  out  to  the  peo- 
ple four  weeks  previously,  that  when  I  came  to  preach 


108  TniRTEEN  years'   EXPERIENCE 

Preaching  at  sunrise. 

my  last  time,  I  would  preach  the  preceding  evening  also. 
It  so  happened  an  aged  member  died,  some  foui'teen 
miles  from  this  place ;  she  was  to  be  buried  on  Thurs- 
day morning,  the  very  time  I  was  to  preach  my  last 
sermon,  and  it  was  her  dying  request  that  I  should 
preach  the  funeral  sermon.  On  Wednesday  night,  there- 
fore, I  stated  the  fact,  and  told  them  if  I  preached  on 
Thursday  morning,  it  must  be  on  or  before  sunrise.  We 
had  at  that  hour  a  large  congregation,  a  memorable 
season.  What  a  delightful  hour  for  the  worship  of  Al- 
mighty God !  The  Psalmist  was  an  early  worshipper : 
"  My  voice  shalt  thou  hear  in  the  morning,  0  Lord ;  in 
the  morning  will  I  direct  my  prayer  unto  thee,  and  will 
look  up."  The  great  founder  of  Methodism,  and  the 
fathers,  frequently  at  this  hour,  preached  the  Gospel  to 
those  who  would  give  attention.  How  well,  occasion- 
ally, would  such  a  course  prepare  us  for  the  duties, 
labours,  and  trials  of  the  day  !  This  to  me  was  an  un- 
premeditated, rather  Providential  service ;  but  it  was 
one  I  shall  never  forget,  in  time  or  in  eternity.  More 
such  I  hope  to  participate  in  before  I  go  hence.  With 
this  humble  people  I  had  enjoyed  much  of  the  presence 
and  power  of  God.  We  held  here  a  very  interesting 
meeting.  The  house  was  small,  and  very  frail ;  I  could 
see  through  the  roof  in  some  places.  I  tried  to  profit 
by  this.  The  bright,  glittering  stars  (for  the  nights 
were  clear)  shining  down  upon  us,  apparently  dancing 


IN  THE  ITINERANCY.  109 


Remarkable  prayer. 


with  joy,  seemed  to  approbate  our  proceedings,  and  I 
was  almost  ready  to  construe  them  into  angels'  eyes,  for 
angels  are  concerned  in  these  things ;  "  which  things  the 
angels  desire  to  look  into." 

It  became  necessary  to  make  a  temporary  enlarge- 
ment, for  the  accommodation  of  the  people.  We  pro- 
cured a  large  canvass  tent,  and  pitched  it  immediately 
in  front  of  the  little  church,  and  by  standing  in  the  front 
door  of  the  church  we  could  make  all  present  hear.  No 
one  will  doubt  this,  when  I  relate  the  following  fact.  At 
that  meeting  a  good  old  brother  S.  was  praying  one 
night  in  public,  and  he  exclaimed,  "  God  bless  our  young 
minister,  make  him  strong  to  labour,  and  give  him  a 
voice  like  thunder  !  We  thank  thee  that  we  heard  him 
preach  last  night  all  the  way  to  our  house,  which  is  about 
two  miles."  Thus  ended  his  prayer  in  regard  to  my- 
self. I  had  strong  faith  in  my  good  old  friend,  and 
could  not  for  a  moment  doubt  his  word,  especially  when 
he  was  on  his  knees ;  but  I  supposed  that  he  must  have 
been  under  a  mistake ;  yet  the  thing  was  possible ;  the 
sound  might  have  been  heard  afar  off,  the  night  being 
calm,  and  everything  quiet.  Would  to  God  it  had  done 
execution !  as  in  the  case  of  Rev.  F.  Garretson,  who, 
preaching  once  in  Dover,  Del.,  at  an  early  period  in 
Methodism,  was  the  instrument,  in  God's  hands,  of  eon- 
verting  a  lady  who  was  so  prejudiced  that  she  would  not 
go  to  hear  the  Methodist,  but  hoisted  her  window  to 
10 


110  THIRTEEN  YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

Danger  of  procrastination. 

listen,  half  a  mile  off,  and  was  reached  and  converted, 
and  the  conversion  of  the  whole  family  followed.  This 
is  from  a  living  witness. 

Since  taking  my  departure,  in  the  spring  of  1846,  I 
have  never  met  with  those  loving  friends.  I  was  pleased 
to  learn  that  they  had  energetically  gone  to  work,  and 
built  a  neat  house  of  worship.  May  it  make  that  wil- 
derness and  solitary  place  glad,  and  ''  the  glory  of  this 
latter  house  be  greater  than  that  of  the  former." 

Before  closing  this  chapter,  I  desire  to  speak  for  the 
edification  of  any  one  who  has  been  led  to  procrastinate 
his  return  to  the  Saviour,  from  whom  he  has,  ever  since 
he  crossed  the  line  of  accountability,  been  wandering. 
We  commenced  a  protracted  meeting  in  Onins'  Chapel, 
in  the  lower  part  of  the  Circuit,  towards  the  close  of  the 
Conference  year.  It  commenced  on  Friday  night ;  the 
great  snow-storm  prevented  it  from  going  on ;  but  on 
Friday  night  we  did  our  utmost  to  get  souls  converted. 
There  was  one  there  that  night,  among  others,  press- 
ingly  urged  to  arise  and  come  to  his  Father.  He  thought 
some  other  time  would  do  as  well,  and  declined.  He 
reached  home  about  ten  o'clock,  and  suddenly  he  fell  pros- 
trate on  the  floor,  a  lifeless  corpse.  I  preached  his  funeral 
sermon  on  the  following  Sunday.  I  felt  deeply  solemn, 
and  was  led  to  ask  myself  the  question,  "  Did  I  do  my 
duty  towards  this  fellow-being,  who  was  in  attendance  at 
God's  house,  and  heard  me  preach  on  the  Friday  night 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  Ill 

An  alarming  di-eam, 

preceding,  a  few  moments  only  before  his  death  ?"  What 
an  awful  thing  it  will  be  if  the  blood  of  perishing  sin- 
ners be  required  at  the  hands  of  ministers !  But  if  I 
warned  this  person,  and  if  we,  as  watchmen  on  Zion's 
walls,  warn  every  man,  and  they  "  turn  not  from  their 
wickedness,  nor  their  wicked  way,  they  shall  die  in  their 
iniquity,"  but  we  "have  delivered  our  souls."  "Take 
heed  to  the  ministry  which  thou  hast  received  in  the 
Lord,  that  thou  fulfil  it."  It  is  possible,  after  we  have 
preached  to  others,  that  we  ourselves  may  be  cast-aways. 
I  will,  in  this  connexion,  hoping  it  may  do  good  to  my- 
self and  others,  present  a  remarkable  dream.  I  take  it 
from  the  Life  of  Mr.  W.  Bramwell.  It  was  related  by 
the  late  Rev.  R.  Bowden,  of  Darwen,  who  committed  it 
to  writing  from  the  lips  of  the  person  to  whom  the  dream 
happened,  on  the  evening  of  May  30,  1813.  It  is  as 
follows : — 

"  A  gospel  minister,  of  evangelical  principles,  whose 
name,  from  the  circumstances  that  occurred,  it  will  be 
necessary  to  conceal,  being  much  fatigued  at  the  conclu- 
sion of  the  afternoon  service,  retired  to  his  apartment, 
in  order  to  take  a  little  rest.  He  had  not  long  reclined 
upon  his  couch  before  he  fell  asleep,  and  began  to  dream. 
He  dreamed  that,  on  walking  into  his  garden,  he  entered 
a  bower  that  had  been  erected  in  it,  where  he  sat  down 
to  read  and  meditate.  While  thus  employed,  he  thought 
he  heard  some  person  enter  the  garden ;  and,  leaving  his 


112  THIRTEEN   years'    EXPERIENCE 

An  alarming  dream. 

bower,  he  immediately  hastened  toward  the  spot  whence 
the  sound  seemed  to  come,  in  order  to  discover  who  it 
was  that  had  entered.  He  had  not  proceeded  far  before 
he  discerned  a  particular  friend  of  his,  a  Gospel  minis- 
ter of  considerable  talents,  who  had  rendered  himself 
very  popular  by  his  zealous  and  unwearied  exertions  in 
the  cause  of  Christ.  On  approaching  his  friend,  he  was 
surprised  to  find  that  his  countenance  was  covered  with 
a  gloom  which  it  had  not  been  accustomed  to  wear, 
and  that  it  strongly  indicated  a  violent  agitation  of 
mind,  apparently  arising  from  conscious  remorse.  After 
the  usual  salutations  had  passed,  his  friend  asked  the 
relater  the  time  of  the  day;  to  which  he  replied, 
"  twenty-five  minutes  after  four."  On  hearing  this  the 
stranger  said,  *'  It  is  only  one  hour  since  I  died,  and  now 
I  am  damned."  "Damned!  for  what  ?"  inquired  the 
dreaming  minister.  "It  is  not,"  said  he,  "because  I 
have  not  preached  the  gospel,  neither  is  it  because  I 
have  not  been  rendered  useful,  for  I  have  now  many 
seals  to  my  ministry,  who  can  bear  testimony  to  the 
truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  which  they  have  received  from 
my  lips ;  but  it  is  because  I  have  been  accumulating  to 
myself  the  applause  of  men  more  than  the  honour  which 
cometh  from  above;  and  verily  I  have  my  reward." 
Having  uttered  these  expressions  he  hastily  disappeared, 
and  was  seen  no  more. 

The  minister  awakening  shortly  afterward,  with  the 


IN   THE  ITINERANCY.  113 

Danger  of  popular  applause. 

contents  of  this  dream  deeply  engraven  on  his  memory^ 
proceeded,  overwhelmed  with  serious  reflections,  towards 
his  chapel,  in  order  to  conduct  the  evening  service.  On 
his  way  thither  he  was  accosted  hy  a  friend,  who  in- 
quired whether  he  had  heard  of  the  severe  loss  the 
Church  had  sustained  in  the  death  of  that  able  minister, 
'  He  replied  "No  :"  hut  being  much  affected 

at  this  singular  intelligence,  he  inquired  of  him  the  day, 
and  the  time  of  the  day  when  his  departure  took  place. 
To  this  his  friend  replied,  "  This  afternoon,  at  twenty- 
five  minutes  after  three  o'clock." 

"  0  popular  applause !     What  heart  of  man 
Is  proof  against  thy  sweet  seducing  charms  ? 
The  wisest  and  the  best  feel  urgent  need 
Of  all  their  caution  in  thy  gentlest  gales ; 
But  swelled  into  a  gust — Who  then,  alas ! 
With  all  his  canvass  set,  and  inexpert, 
And  therefore  heedless,  can  withstand  thy  power? 
Praise  from  the  rivell'd  lips  of  toothless,  bald 
Decrepitude,  and  in  the  looks  of  lean 
And  craving  poverty,  and  in  the  bow 
Respectful  of  the  smutch'd  artificer. 
Is  oft  too  welcome,  and  may  much  disturb 
The  bias  of  the  purpose.     How  much  more. 
Poured  forth  by  beauty  splendid  and  polite, 
In  language  soft  as  adoration  breathes  ? 
Ah,  spare  your  idol !  think  him  human  still. 
Charms  he  may  have,  but  he  has  frailties  too ! 
Dote  not  too  much,  nor  spoil  what  ye  admire." 

10* 


114  TniiiTEEN  years'  experiexce 

Conferences  in  small  towns. 

Some  of  the  brightest  stars  have  set  in  gloom,  and 
it  is  possible,  notwithstanding  we  have  prophesied  in  the 
name  of  the  Lord,  at  last  it  may  be  said,  "I  never 
knew  you." 


CHAPTER  V. 

Conferences  more  interesting  in  small  Towns — Though  Churches  are 
embarrassed,  they  must  not  be  abandoned — Rev.  William  A.  Wiggins 
— First  Church  in  Lancaster — Father  Benedict — Preachers'  Meeting 
■ — Singing  does  good  in  more  ways  than  one — Coloured  People  gave 
freely — Aunt  Lottey  a  shouting  Methodist — Wrong  meaning  given 
to  the  word  "Niggardly" — Better  to  dedicate  Churches  on  Week 
Days — The  shout  of  Glory,  and  not  the  cry  of  Murder — What's  a 
name — Rev.  George  Lacey — A  dying  Girl  clings  to  her  Bible— "We 
won't  give  up  the  Bible." 

THE  Conference  was  held,  in  the  spring  of  1846,  m 
Union  Church,  Philadelphia.  The  city  of  Phila- 
delphia is  more  central  than  almost  any  other  point,  and 
there  are  some  advantages  to  the  ministers  arising  from 
our  sessions  being  held  in  the  city  of  Brotherly  Love  ; 
yet  it  is  my  decided  conviction  that  more  real  good  is 
done  by  their  being  held  in  different  and  smaller  places ; 
and,  as  our  system  is  itinerant,  I  think  it  proper  to 
carry  it  out  in  this  respect  also.  By  adopting  this 
method,  in  the  course  of  time  we  reach,  with  our  annual 
sessions,   all   the    neighbourhoods  in  our  geographical 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  115 

Appointed  to  Lancaster. 

boundaries ;  and,  altliougli  we  have  sometimes  gone  to 
small  places,  there  never  has  been  any  difficulty  in  pro- 
curing accommodations  for  all  concerned.  In  the  small 
towns  there  is,  to  a  greater  extent,  an  interest  awakened, 
and  a  reciprocity  of  feeling  with  preachers  and  people ; 
and,  actually,  we  all  feel  the  day  of  Pentecost  has 
fully  come,  and  continuing  "  daily  with  one  accord  in 
the  temple,  and  breaking  bread  from  house  to  house,  we 
eat  our  meat  with  gladness  and  singleness  of  heart, 
praising  God  and  having  favour  with  all  the  people." 
The  departure  too  of  the  ministers  makes  a  deep  im- 
pression, and  causes  a  sadness  and  a  regret .  among  the 
people,  which  is  not  to  be  looked  for  in  a  large  bustling 
city,  where  we  are  scattered  in  every  direction,  and  have 
not,  consequently,  an  opportunity  to  form  those  friendly 
associations,  which  it  is  our  privilege  to  form  when  we 
meet  in  smaller  towns. 

At  this  Conference  my  appointment  was  announced 
for  Lancaster,  with  the  Rev.  William  A.  Wiggins,  who 
was,  of  course,  the  principal  pastor.  The  church  at 
this  place  was  deeply  involved  in  pecuniary  embarrass- 
ment at  the  time,  so  that  there  was  a  probability  of  its 
being  sold.  The  Conference  vigorously  took  hold  of  this 
matter,  passing  resolutions  commending  it  to  the  friends 
of  Methodism  in  and  out  of  our  bounds.  The  preceding 
year  Rev.  N.  Heston  was  appointed,  and  this  year  my- 
self, to  do  what  we  could  in  saving  that  noble  building 


116  THIRTEEN   TEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

Death  of  Rev.  W.  A.  Wiggins. 

from  the  sheriff's  hammer.  Both  Brother  Ileston  and 
myself  however  found,  from  experience,  that  it  was 
much  more  difficult  to  obtain  funds,  than  it  was  for  our 
brethren  of  the  Conference  to  pass  resolutions  apper- 
taining to  the  matter.  In  this  crisis  the  preacher  in 
charge,  Eev.  William  A.  Wiggins,  worked  diligently, 
visited  a  number  of  points,  plead  for  the  church  in  elo- 
quent strains,  and  did  not  plead  in  vain.  At  the  time 
I  was  associated  with  him,  his  health  was  feeble ;  never- 
theless, he  had  a  large  share  of  vivacity  and  energy,  and, 
so  far  as  I  could  learn  his  character,  he  generally  looked 
upon  the  bright  side  of  everything.  He  was  a  happy 
man.  And  who  will  say  that  he  was  not  a  useful  man  ? 
Many  years  he  was  the  secretary  of  the  Philadelphia 
Annual  Conference,  and  performed  the  duties  of  that 
arduous  office  with  satisfaction  to  all.  Eternity  alone 
can  disclose  the  seals  to  his  ministry.  After  finishing 
his  two  years  in  Lancaster,  he  was  appointed  to  the  city 
of  Reading.  It  was  in  this  place  he  triumphantly 
finished  his  course  on  Thursday  evening,  October  21st, 
1847,  in  the  fifty-first  year  of  his  age,  and  twenty-fifth 
of  his  ministry. 

"He fell  like  a  martyr, 
He  died  at  his  post." 

His  dying  testimony  was  as  follows  :  ''  I  am  a  great 
sufferer,  but  I  must  suffer  to  glorify  God,  and  through 


IN  THE   ITINEEANCT.  117 

His  dying  testimony  and  burial. 

suffering  be  made  perfect."  He  said  to  his  children, 
"  0  my  dear  children,  your  mother  (his  first  wife)  ex- 
pressed her  belief,  on  her  dying  bed,  that  God  would 
bring  us  an  unbroken  family  to  heaven.  You  will  live 
awhile  in  affliction,  perhaps  in  poverty,  but  what  are  the 
riches  of  this  world  ?  We  brought  nothing  into  it,  and 
we  can  carry  nothing  out.  But  let  me  see  you  not  only 
within  the  gates  of  heaven,  but  with  us  about  the 
throne."  His  devoted  wife  asked  him  just  before  he 
quit  the  world,  if  he  knew  her.  "  Yes,"  he  answered, 
"  dear  Elizabeth,  I  am  going  to  leave  you ;  but  we  shall 
have  a  happy  meeting  in  heaven  ;  farewell."  His  child- 
ren sung,  "  On  Jordan's  stormy  banks  I  stand."  He 
joined  in  the  singing  as  well  as  he  could.  His  last 
words  were,  "  Triumph  !  Triumph  !" 

His  remains  were  brought  to  Philadelphia  and  in- 
terred in  the  St.  Paul's  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
burying  ground.  And,  as  an  evidence  that  this  man  of 
God  was  appreciated,  thousands  attended  the  funeral. 
The  spacious  church  did  not  accommodate  the  great  con- 
course, though  it  was  filled  to  its  utmost  capacity. 
During  the  services  wailings  came  up  from  many  a 
heart,  and  tears  gushed  from  many  an  eye.  As  it  was 
said  of  Barnabas,  so  may  it  be  said  of  Bev.  William  A. 
Wiggins:  "For  he  was  a  good  man,  and  full  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  and  of  faith :  and  much  people  was  added 
unto  the  Lord."     Lancaster  was,  and  every  other  ap- 


118        THIRTEEN  TEARS'  EXPERIENCE 

The  first  church  in  Lancaster.  Tho  contrast. 

pointment  he  filled,  made  better  by  his  labours  among 
them. 

The  original  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  the  city 
of  Lancaster,  was  opened  for  worship  in  1809.  Rev. 
Ezekiel  Cooper  and  Rev.  Dr.  Sargent,  officiated  at  the 
dedication.  Too  much  credit  cannot  be  given  to  Father 
Benedict,  who  still  lingers  on  the  shores  of  mortality,  for 
the  interest  he  took  in  the  introduction  of  Methodism 
into  this  place.  The  first  class  was  formed  in  his  house, 
consisting  of  four  or  five,  including  himself  and  wife. 
His  house  was  the  preaching  place  for  two  years,  until 
the  church  was  built,  which  was  done  mainly  through 
Brother  Benedict's  agency.  He  had  very  hard  work  to 
get  a  piece  of  ground  on  which  to  locate  the  church ; 
for,  at  that  day,  "  this  sect  was  everywhere  spoken 
against"  in  Lancaster. 

When  we  contrast  the  condition  and  influence  of 
Methodism  then  with  what  we  found  it  in  the  spring  of 
1855,  at  which  time  the  Philadelphia  Annual  Conference 
held  its  Annual  Session  there,  we  are  ready  to  cry  out : 
God  hath  wrought  wonders !  For,  at  the  beginning, 
there  was  scarcely  a  home  for  the  way-worn  Itinerant ; 
now,  there  are  homes  of  the  best  quality  for  over  two 
hundred  ministers.  At  the  time  of  the  beginningj  not 
only  were  the  people  ready  to  cry  out  "  away  with  them !" 
but  ministers  of  the  older  churches,  were  ready  to 
denounce  them  as  false  prophets.     In  this  respect,  a 


IN  THE   ITINERANCY.  119 

Sympathy  strengthens  weak  hands. 

happy  change  has  taken  place ;  for  their  houses,  pulpits, 
and  hearts,  all  appear  to  be  open ;  and  they  all  said  to 
us  at  our  late  session  :  "Is  thine  heart  right,  as  my  heart 
is  with  thy  heart  ?  If  it  be,  give  me  thine  hand." 

The  small  structure,  which  was  opened  for  divine 
worship  in  1809,  after  being  the  birthplace  of  many 
precious  souls,  and  "strengthening  the  things  which 
were  weak,"  has  given  place  to  a  very  large  and  beauti- 
ful temple,  second  to  but  few,  for  neatness  and  appropri- 
ateness, anywhere  in  this  country,  of  our  own  or  any 
other  denomination.  But  this  achievement  has  cost  the 
brethren  of  the  laity  in  that  city  much  toil,  and  the  minis- 
ters have  had  a  heavy  share  of  the  care  to  rest  on  them. 
Together  we  have  struggled,  and,  by  mutual  effort,  suc- 
cess has  been  the  glorious  result. 

I  felt  mine  was,  in  the  spring  of  1 846,  in  this  con- 
nexion, an  unenviable  field,  when  I  ascertained  that  my 
chief  work  was  to  raise  money — to  go  from  place  to 
place,  and  deliver  what  I  supposed  would  be  an  unwel- 
come message.  But  I  found  my  brother  ministers  every- 
where sympathizing ;  and,  generally,  w^hen  I  entered 
their  fields  of  labour,  they  bid  me  welcome;  and  the 
people  were  more  generous  than,  under  the  circum- 
stances, I  had  any  reason  to  expect. 

The  first  effort  I  made  was  in  the  Preachers'  meeting 
in  Philadelphia.  They  manifested  a  deep  solicitude; 
and,  they  not  only  loved  this  object  in  word,  but,  as  they 


120  THIRTEEN   TEARS*    EXPERIENCE 

Liberality  promoted  by  singing. 

generally  do,  in  deed  also,  for  almost  every  man  gave  to 
the  object,  in  that  meeting,  the  sum  oi  jive  dollars, 

I  found  the  Presiding  Elders  of  several  Districts 
exceedingly  anxious  to  assist  in  carrying  this  project  to 
a  successful  issue.  Rev.  L.  Scott,  who  then  had  charge 
of  the  district  in  which  Lancaster  was  located,  would 
encourage  me  in  the  time  of  temptation.  And  I  found 
it  no  small  privilege  to  travel  with  him  around  the  dis- 
trict, and  he  aided  me  much  in  presenting  this  matter  to 
the  public.  I  was  with  him  at  one  of  his  quarterly 
meetings  where  my  mission  was  made  known.  Some  of 
the  people  seemed  not  to  approbate  the  object,  espe- 
cially one  influential  lady,  the  wife  of  the  principal  man 
of  the  society;  she  was  very  much  offended  because 
her  husband  contributed  to  it.  But  before  I  left  that 
place,  I  paid  a  visit  to  the  house,  in  company  with  the 
Presiding  Elder  and  the  pastor;  and,  while  there,  I 
was  called  upon  by  the  ministers  to  sing  a  very  sweet 
hymn,  that  was  then  new.  I  did  it  in  the  spirit ;  and, 
to  my  surprise,  the  dear  old  lady,  that  had  treated  the 
cause  with  so  much  indifference,  became  very  happy 
while  the  song  of  Zion  was  being  sung ;  and  with  the 
activity  of  a  young  girl,  she  ran  to  her  bureau,  and  pro- 
cured a  respectable  amount,  and  put  it  into  my  hands, 
bidding  me  God  speed  in  the  work  in  which  I  was 
engaged.    That  morning  we  had  a  time  not  to  be  forgot- 


IN   THE   ITINEKANCY.  121 

Liberality  of  coloured  people. 

ten  ;  not  only  was  the  old  lady  blessed,  but  we  all  had 
our  spiritual  strength  renewed. 

When  I  visited  Port  Deposit,  in  Cecil  county,  Marj- 
land,  I  had  much  to  encourage  me.  The  preacher.  Rev. 
William  H.  Elliott,  and  the  people,  endorsed  the  enter- 
prise. After  preaching  in  Port  Deposit  in  the  morning, 
I  rode,  accompanied  by  Brother  Elliott,  some  four  or 
five  miles  in  the  country,  and  I  preached  to  a  fine  con- 
gregation of  coloured  people.  Even  the  coloured  people 
at  this  point  contributed  to  the  object.  We  returned, 
and  I  tried  again  to  preach  at  night  in  the  town.  This 
was  a  very  warm  day ;  the  labour  was  hard ;  but  I  felt  I 
was  "in  the  spirit  on  the  Lord's  day." 

During  the  camp  meeting  season  I  was  principally 
on  the  peninsula,  and  travelled  with  Rev.  J.  T.  Hazzard, 
the  Presiding  Elder  of  the  Easton  District,  from  camp 
meeting  to  camp  meeting.  At  nearly  all  of  those 
meetings,  I  asked  the  privilege  to  preach  at  eight 
o'clock  on  Sunday  mornings  to  the  coloured  people. 
They  seemed  to  appreciate  highly  this  arrangement. 
Much  good  I  hope  was  done.  And  my  readers  will 
be  almost  startled,  when  I  tell  them  that  the  coloured 
people,  at  the  different  camps,  contributed  that  summer 
about  one  hundred  dollars  towards  saving  this  church. 

I  attended  a  deeply  interesting  camp  meeting  at 
Ennal's  Springs,  in  Dorchester  county,  I\Iaryland.  This 
has  been  one  of  the  most  celebrated  places  on  the 
11 


122        THIRTEEN  YEARS'  EXPERIENCE 


Storm  at  ciimp  meeting.  Aunt  Lottey. 


peninsula  for  camp  meetings.  The  woods  here,  a 
thousand  times,  have  been  made  vocal  with  ascriptions 
of  praise  to  God,  coming  up  from  new-born  souls.  I 
recollect  my  travelling  companion  at  the  time.  Rev.  J. 
T.  Hazzard,  was  preaching  at  the  stand,  with  an  unction 
for  which  he  is  proverbial;  and,  suddenly,  clouds 
gathered  over  the  encampment,  the  thunder  roared,  the 
lightnings  flashed,  and  the  rain  came  down  in  torrents. 
I  ventured,  from  the  impulse  of  the  moment,  while  the 
people  were  flying  for  shelter,  to  start  the  little  chorus  : 

«'  Stand  the  storm,  it  won't  be  long, 
We'll  anchor  by  and  by." 

It  seemed  to  be  very  appropriate,  and  to  do  good ;  and, 
although  the  preaching  was  stopped,  the  work  of  con- 
version gloriously  went  forward. 

When  I  presented  the  cause  to  this  warm-hearted 
people,  the  response  was  very  generous ;  it  seemed, 
indeed,  to  be  a  privilege  for  them  to  contribute.  Had 
our  church  been  sold  from  us,  it  was  generally  supposed, 
it  would  have  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the  Roman 
Catholics.  I  mentioned  this  circumstance  on  this  occa- 
sion; it  made  a  deep  impression  on  the  heart  of  an 
aged  Christian  lady,  known  all  through  that  country 
favourably,  and  generally  called  Aunt  Lottey !  She 
had  long  been  a  shouting  Methodist,  and  on  this  occa- 
sion, she  was  powerfully  blessed,  and 


IN    THE   ITINERANCY.  12S 

Shouting  in  death. 

"  Her  glad  soul  mounted  higher 
In  a  chariot  of  fire, 

And  the  moon  was  under  her  feet." 

And  while  she  leaped  and  praised  God,  we  heard  her 
exclaim :  "  Glory  to  God,  the  Roman  Catholics  shall 
never  have  that  church."  Again  I  heard  her  remark : 
"  I  wish  I  had  a  plenty  of  money."  Just  at  that  juncture 
of  time,  a  wealthy  brother,  appreciating  highly  Aunt 
Lottey,  placed  in  her  hands  a  bank-note ;  and,  forth- 
with, she  shouted  up  to  the  stand,  and  gave  it  to  me 
with  the  greatest  cheerfulness  and  enthusiasm. 

In  regard  to  this  mother  in  Israel,  I  may  remark  to 
my  readers,  that  she  continued  to  the  day  of  her  death 
to  obey  the  command,  "  Cry  out  and  shout,  thou 
inhabitant  of  Zion,  for  great  is  the  Holy  One  of  Israel 
in  the  midst  of  thee."  And,  when  the  hour  for  her 
departure  arrived,  she  was  ready ;  and  could  still  shout 
and  sing, 

*'0u  Joi'dan's  stormy  banks  I  stand, 
And  cast  a  wishful  eye 
To  Canaan's  fair  and  happy  land, 
Where  ray  possessions  lie." 

If  I  am  privileged  to  reach  the  better  land,  I  shall 
expect  to  see  Aunt  Lottey  there,  close  by  the  throne, 
shouting  in  nobler  strains,  "  Alleluiah :  salvation,  and 
glory,  and  honour,  and  power,  unto  the  Lord  our  God." 

I  met  with   Rev.  Mr.  Cross   at   the   next   camp  I 


124        THIRTEEN  tears'  EXPERIENCE 

Weigh  well  your  words.  Dedication  at  Cambridge,  Md. 

attended,  who  was  pleading  for  the  seamen — and  he  was 
an  efficient  speaker.  As  my  turn  came  after  him,  I  was 
apprehensive  that  I  should  entirely  fail;  but  the 
generous-hearted  Marylanders  "  do  not  weary  in  well- 
doing." Brother  Cross,  in  presenting  his  cause,  used 
the  word  "•niggardly^''  which  was  unfortunate  for  him 
with  the  coloured  people.  They  were  highly  incensed 
at  the  minister ;  the  interpretation  which  they  gave  to 
the  expression  was,  ''he  is  calling  us  niggers.'''  I 
plainly  saw  that  his  cause,  with  them  at  least,  would 
not  receive  any  sympathy ;  and  after  the  white  people 
were  through  with  their  liberal  donations,  I  took  it  upon 
myself  to  explain  to  them  that  Brother  Cross  was  mis- 
understood. I  told  them  what  was  meant  by  the  word 
niggardly ;  and,  immediately,  they  endorsed  his  cause,^ 
by  adding  to  his  collection  at  least  ten  dollai^s. 

From  the  camp  meeting  referred  to,  in  company 
with  my  travelling  companion,  I  went  to  the  town  of 
Cambridge,  to  witness  the  dedication  of  the  new  and 
beautiful  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  built  through  the 
perseverance  and  energy — in  a  great  degree  at  least — 
of  Rev.  John  D.  Onins,  who  was  the  preacher  in  charge 
at  the  time.  It  was  on  a  week-day,  which  I  think  far 
more  appropriate  for  such  occasions  than  Sunday.  The 
ministers  and  people,  from  surrounding  churches^  can 
then  have  the  opportunity  of  uniting  in  the  interesting 
exercises.     Bishop  Janes  officiated,  morning  and  after- 


IN  THE  ITINERANCY.  125 

Rev.  Mr.  Cazier.  A  mistake. 

noon,  and  Brother  Cross  at  night.  Since  that  day  I 
have  been  present  at  many  dedications ;  but  it  is  rare 
to  have  more  of  the  Divine  presence  than  we  were 
favoured  with  at  that  time  and  place.  The  new  house 
was  paid  for;  and  the  temple,  on  the  first  day  of  its 
occupancy,  was  filled  with  God's  glory.  Rev.  Mr. 
Cazier,  a  local  minister  of  Talbot,  who  was  blessed  with 
this  world's  goods,  was  very  liberal  that  day  in  aiding 
the  Cambridge  friends,  and  seemed  to  act  on  the 
principle,  as  they  had  received  of  his  carnal  things,  he 
would  have  a  large  share  of  spiritual  things ;  and  he 
shouted  up  and  down  the  aisles  of  the  church,  and 
appeared  to  be  perfectly  at  home,  and  to  feel  "  where 
the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  is  there  is  liberty."  He  has  since 
gone  to  his  reward  in  Heaven. 

We  all  spent  the  night  at  the  residence  of  our 
worthy  friend.  Rev.  Dr.  Thompson.  At  a  late  hour  we 
were  aroused  from  our  slumbers,  and  considerably 
alarmed  by  a  very  great  noise.  At  first  it  seemed  to  us 
to  be  the  noise  of  distress,  and  we  did  not  know  but  that 
lomebody  was  being  murdered.  We  listened  attentively, 
ind  heard  the  words,  "  Hallelujah !  Glory ! !  Glory  ! ! !" 
[t  w^as  the  power  of  God  amongst  the  Doctor's  coloured 
people  in  the  Quarter,  a  short  distance  from  where  we 
were  lodging.  ''At  midnight  they  prayed  and  sang 
praises  unto  God,  and  we  heard  them."  Our  fears  were 
11^ 


126  THIRTEEN    YEARS*    EXPERIENCE 

Mr.  Adam  Wolf.  Christian  friends  a  treasure. 

allayed,  and  we  were  led  to  cry  out  while  we  listened  to 
their  shouts: 

"In  every  land  begin  the  song, 
To  every  kind  the  strains  belong, 
In  cheerful  songs  all  voices  raise, 
And  fill  the  world  with  sounding  praise." 

After  I  finished  my  camp  meeting  tour,  it  was  my 
privilege  to  spend  very  pleasantly  the  month  of  Septem- 
ber in  the  city  of  Lancaster,  at  the  house  principally  of 
my  friend,  Mr.  Adam  AVolf.  I  spent  also,  in  connexion 
■with  Bishop  Scott,  my  time  with  this  family  at  the  An- 
nual Conference  in  the  spring  of  1855,  and  I  shall  not 
soon  forget  their  hospitality  and  lamh-like!  disposition 
towards  me.  No  man  took  a  deeper  interest  in  reliev- 
ing the  Lancaster  church,  in  the  days  of  darkness,  than 
Brother  Wolf. 

During  the  residue  of  the  fall  and  winter  I  was 
mainly  occupied  in  the  churches  in  the  city  of  Philadel- 
phia. I  preached,  as  well  as  I  could,  in  each  one,  large 
and  small.  And  although  I  had  much  financiering  to  do, 
I  was  not  all  the  time  thus  occupied.  I  participated 
with  our  brethren  in  the  ministry  in  their  protracted 
meetings.  And  at  different  points  I  had  the  gratifica- 
tion of  seeing  good  accomplished.  That  year  I  formed 
many  acquaintances  that  I  should  not  in  the  ordinary 
way  ever  have  formed.  I  place  a  high  estimate  on  my 
circle  of  friends.     No  class  of  ministers  have  the  facili- 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  127 

Rev.  George  Lacey,  M.  D, 

ties  that  we  liave  for  forming  acquaintances  and  making 
friends ;  and  our  friends  are  a  fortune  to  us.  I  recol- 
lect that  Rev.  Dr.  Lacey,  in  Philadelphia,  with  whom  I 
resided,  said  to  me  on  a  certain  occasion,  "  Brother  M., 
you  are  now  eating  your  white  bread."  And  it  is  a  fact, 
notwithstanding  I  had  to  leg  money  !  I  so  managed,  I 
trust,  as  to  keep  myself  in  the  love  of  God.  And  asso- 
ciated as  I  was  in  Philadelphia,  with  one  of  the  most 
amiable  families,  with  plenty  of  work  to  do,  I  could  not 
be  otherwise  than  happy.  And  neither  rolling  years 
nor  the  vicissitudes  of  life  can  ever  efface  from  my  recol- 
lection the  generous  manner  in  which  I  was  always 
treated,  not  only  by  Rev.  George  Lacey,  but  by  every 
member  of  the  family. 

I  feel  sorry  that  the  failure  of  Brother  Lacey's 
health  made  it  necessary  for  him  to  retire  from  the 
effective  ranks.  His  labours  were  owned  of  God.  In 
his  present  pursuit,  however,  I  cannot  see  any  good  rea- 
son why  he  may  not  be  eminently  useful  both  to  the 
souls  and  bodies  of  his  fellow-men.  How  important  it 
is  for  physicians  to  be  men  of  God !  so  that  when  their 
medicines  fail  to  produce  the  desired  effect,  they  may 
tell  their  dying  patients  "  there  is  balm  in  Gilead,  there 
is  a  physician  there,"  and  direct  them  to  look  to  Him 
who  has  a  panacea  for  the  miseries  of  the  world — 

*'  A  sovereign  balm  for  every  wound, 
A  cordial  for  every  fear." 


128  THIRTEEN    YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

Death  of  Emma  Lacey. 

Since  my  connexion  with  this  household,  a  gloom 
has  been  cast  over  that  happy  family,  not  only  by  the 
failure  of  Brother  Lacey's  health,  but  by  the  premature 
death  of  their  only  child.  She  was  tenderly  raised,  she 
was  watched  over  with  an  angel's  care,  and  those  de- 
voted parents  heeded  the  injunction,  "  Take  this  child 
and  nurse  it  for  me,  and  I  will  give  thee  thy  wages." 
She  was  educated  at  home,  under  the  superintending 
care  of  her  mother,  whose  heart  was  much  fixed  upon 
her,  and  I  do  not  wonder ;  for  Emma  Lacey  was  a  per- 
fect model  of  amiability.  She  was  just  blooming  into 
womanhood  when  God,  in  his  providence,  transplanted 
her  into  a  more  congenial  soil,  where  she  will  "  flourish 
in  immortal  youth."  From  a  child  Emma  "knew  the 
Scriptures :"  she  read  them  regularly.  This  bright 
candle  of  the  Lord, — 

"Star  of  Eternity!  the  only  star 
By  -which  the  bark  of  man  could  navigate 
The  sea  of  life,  and  gain  the  coast  of  bliss 
Securely," 

pointed  this  young  girl's  eye  to  the  eternal  hills,  and 
enabled  her  courageously  to  sail  across  the  river  of  death, 
fearing  no  evil.  So  much  was  this  young  lady  attached 
to  the  Book  of  God,  that  she  not  only  clung  to  it  in  ^ 
death,  but  at  her  desire,  as  I  suppose,  this,  her  favourite 
book,  was  buried  with  her.     So,  upon  that  young  heart, 


IN  THE  ITINERANCY.  129 

Love  for  the  Bible  gives  character. 

in  the  grave,  rests  the  book,  whose  teachings  gave  ease 
in  life,  and  victory  in  death,  and  inspired  the  hope  of  a 
glorious  resurrection : — 

"  Of  resurrection  at  the  promised  morn, 
And  meetings  then  which  ne'er  shall  part  again." 

Before  closing  this  chapter,  I  want  especially  to  urge 
my  young  readers  to  follow  in  the  footsteps  of  Emma 
Lacey,  particularly  in  regard  to  the  Bible.  If  young 
persons  are  believers  in  and  lovers  of  the  Word  of  God, 
while  it  brings  other  blessings,  it  will  give  them  charac- 
ter in  the  business  world.  A  youth  of  this  description, 
who  was  left  without  a  father,  and  whose  mother  was 
poor,  found  it  necessary  to  go  out  into  the  world  to  seek 
his  fortune.  He  entered  a  city,  and  applied  at  a  mer- 
chant's establishment  for  a  clerkship.  And  the  prospect 
was  not  encouraging  by  any  means ;  but  he  persevered, 
and  from  his  carpet-bag  drew  one  recommendation  after 
another,  all  from  respectable  sources.  The  merchant 
Btill  gave  a  negative  answer.  While,  however,  the  youth 
was  ransacking  his  carpet-bag  for  other  favourable  testi- 
monials, his  Bible  rolled  out,  and  fell  upon  the  floor. 
The  merchant  asked,  "What  is  that?"  The  youth  re- 
plied, "  That  is  the  Bible  which  my  mother  gave  me, 
and  I  promised  her  to  read  a  portion  of  it  every  day." 
That  was  enough ;  the  youth  was  employed  without  fur- 
ther testimonials. 


130        THIRTEEN  YEARS'  EXPERIENCE 


Bisbop  Ilamlinc. 


We  will  say,  then,  to  all  who  hate  the  Bible,  and  would 
tear  it  from  us,  if  they  could — 

"We  won't  give  up  the  Bible, 
God's  holy  book  of  tnith, 
The  staff  of  hoary  age, 
And  guide  of  early  youth." 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Bishop  Hamline— Ordained  an  Elder — Rev.  Ezekiel  Cooper's  Funeral 
— One  Soul  worth  twenty  years'  labour — Young  Ministers  should  not 
marry  prematurely — Sent  to  Bethlehem  Station — "He  repented 
and  went" — A  Minister's  Son  converted,  and  becomes  a  Preacher — 
Death  by  Hydrophobia — Dancing  down  to  Hell — Lutheran  Minis- 
ter's Heart  "  strangely  warmed" — Affecting  circumstance  in  Prison 
— The  reception  of  Soldiers  returned  from  the  Mexican  War — Deter- 
mined to  be  a  Soldier  of  the  Cross — Mothers,  pray  for  your  loved 
ones. 

THE  Annual  Conference,  in  the  spring  of  1847,  con- 
vened in  Wilmington,  Delaware,  which  is  a  very 
convenient  place  for  the  session  of  the  Philadelphia  Con- 
ference, being  about  the  centre  of  our  territorial  bounds. 
Bishop  Hamline,  who  was  elected  Bishop  in  1844,  for 
the  first  time,  was  with  us.  He  professes  the  great 
blessing  of  sanctification,  and  I  doubt  not  but  that  he 
enjoys  it.  He  seemed  to  be  constantly  under  heavenly 
ii^f^tf'nce,  generally  arranged  for  each  session  to  be  pre- 


IN  THE   ITINERANCY.  131 

The  Episcopacy  not  an  order,  but  an  office. 

ceded  by  a  prayer  meeting.  I  never  saw  a  Conference 
where  there  was  more  harmony  among  the  ministers. 
The  Bishop's  health  was  feeble ;  yet  he  passed  through 
his  arduous  labours  without  special  difficulty,  and,  on  the 
Sabbath  morning  of  the  Conference,  preached  a  sermon 
of  great  power,  from  Romans  xii.  1 ;  after  which  fol- 
lowed the  Ordination  of  Elders,  and  I,  with  the  class, 
was  solemnly  set  apart  to  the  full  work  of  the  ministry. 
May  I  be  divinely  assisted  to  pay  the  vows  which  I  have 
made  to  God  and  the  Church  !  Eishop  Hamline's  health 
afterwards  so  failed,  that  it  became  requisite  for  him  to 
retire  from  the  episcopacy.  He  felt  that  he  was  unable 
to  do  the  work ;  therefore  he  would  give  place  to  some 
other  one  more  able  to  bear  the  labours  of  the  superin- 
tendency.  The  General  Conference  of  1852  accepted 
his  resignation,  showing  that  our  views  of  episcopacy 
are  different  from  some  others.  We  do  not  hold  to  the 
doctrine  "once  a  bishop  always  a  bishop."  We  do  not 
consider  it  an  order  in  the  ministry,  but  an  office.  Mr. 
Wesley's  mind,  indeed,  was  abused  in  relation  to  Bishop 
Asbury,  and  he  made  some  unkind  remarks  to  that 
humble  man,  under  that  influence,  relative  to  the  title 
of  Bishop,  &c.  But  the  true  state  of  the  case  is,  that 
the  views  of  our  Church  on  this  point  are  purely  Wes- 
ley an.  We  consider  preshyter  and  hisliop  one  and  the 
game  order,  and  we  have  done  nothing,  on  this  great 
matter,  unauthorized  by  the  Founder  of  Methodism. 


132  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

Rev.  Ezekiel  Cooper. 

Wlien  the  colonies  became  independent  he  gave  us  the 
forms  of  ordination,  and  felt  himself  providentially 
moved  to  provide,  in  this  way,  for  his  sheep  in  the  wil- 
derness. We  think  our  episcopacy  not  only  Wesleyan, 
but  also  that  our  polity  in  general  is  as  nearly  in  accord- 
ance with  the  original  Church  of  Christ  as  any  in  ex- 
istence. 

By  a  vote  of  the  Conference,  Rev.  Bishop  Morris 
was  requested  to  preach  the  funeral  sermon  of  the  vene- 
rable Ezekiel  Cooper,  during  the  session  of  the  body. 
Father  Cooper  had  deceased  the  preceding  winter.  He 
was  the  oldest  minister  at  his  death,  perhaps,  of  our 
Church  in  this  country,  if  not  in  the  world.  He  entered 
the  work  in  1785 ;  was  present  when  Rev.  Dr.  Coke  and 
Rev.  Francis  Asbury  had  their  jBrst  meeting  at  Barratt's 
Chapel,  in  Delaware.  Rev.  Nathan  Bangs,  his  old  and 
long-tried  friend,  preached  his  funeral  sermon  at  the 
time  of  his  burial,  at  St.  George's  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  in  Philadelphia.  His  remains  were  buried  in 
front  of  the  church,  and  a  plain  marble  slab  marks  the 
spot  of  his  repose.  A  slab  is  also  erected  against  the 
wall  of  the  church,  in  front,  with  an  appropriate  inscrip- 
tion. Rev.  Ezekiel^Cooper  never  had  many  if  any  co- 
labourers  in  the  ministry  that  were  blessed  with  greater 
talent.  He  was  known,  in  his  day,  throughout  the 
length  and  breadth  of  the  land  as  a  strong  man,  com- 
petent for  controversy,  or  any  emergency. 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  133 

One  soul  worth  twenty  years'  labour. 

His  funeral  sermon,  in  compliance  with  the  request 
of  the  Conference,  was  re-preached  at  St.  Paul's  Method- 
ist Episcopal  Church,  in  Wilmington,  by  Bishop  Morris. 
Tha  Bishop,  on  that  occasion,  related  an  incident  in  the 
way  of  encouraging  ministers,  that  made  a  deep  impres- 
sion on  my  mind.  Said  the  Bishop,  ''  There  were  two 
brothers,  who  were  both  Methodist  preachers ;  one  was  a 
great  revivalist,  very  popular,  and  successful  wherever 
he  went.  The  other  was  a  very  solid  preacher,  but 
never  seemed  to  have  much  fruit.  The  popular  one  said 
to  the  other,  at  a  certain  time,  '  Brother,  you  have  been 
preaching  now  twenty  years,  and  I  know  of  but  one  soul 
that  you  were  ever  instrumental  in  getting  converted ; 
and,  if  I  were  in  your  place,  I  would  retire  from  the 
work.'  Said  he  to  his  popular  brother — ^  Do  you  think 
I  have  been  the  means  of  getting  one  soul  converted?* 
*  I  have  no  doubt  of  that,'  was  the  reply.  '  Then,'  said 
the  brother  who  did  not  despise  the  day  of  small  things, 
'  here  goes  for  twenty  years'  more  hard  toil  for  the  sake 
of  getting  another  one  converted  to  God.'  " 

Having  passed  through  the  course  of  Conference 
study,  and  having  been  ordained  Elder,  it  was  impressed 
upon  my  mind  that  I  could  with  propriety  think  of  chang- 
ing my  situation  in  life.  I  did,  after  much  thought  and 
prayer,  resolve  to  offer  my  heart  and  hand  to  the  friend 
of  my  youth.     And  this  matter  thus  commenced,  was 

consummated  some  eighteen  months  thereafter.   I  felt  it 
12 


134:  THIRTEEN   years'    EXPERIENCE 

Ministers  should  not  marry  prematurely. 

my  duty,  liowever,  to  keep  aloof  from  all  matrimonial 
engagements  until  I  had,  at  least,  graduated  to  Eldcr'a 
orders.  I  do  not  take  the  ground  that  God's  word 
requires  this  of  ministers ;  for  Paul  says,  "  Let  the  deacons 
be  the  husbands  of  one  wife,  ruling  their  children  and 
their  own  houses  well."  But  I  think  many  reasons  can 
be  given  why,  as  a  general  thing,  this  course  would  be 
better  for  Methodist  ministers.  1.  Mostly,  we  are 
young,  and  have  much  to  learn,  when  we  first  start  in 
the  work ;  and,  for  several  years,  it  is  as  much  as  we 
can  reasonably  expect  of  the  Church  to  provide  for  us, 
without  the  encumbrance  of  a  family.  2.  We  do  injus- 
tice to  ourselves  ;  for  it  is  impossible  for  us,  with  the 
cares  of  a  family,  to  devote  as  much  time  to  study,  and 
other  important  duties,  as  the  exigencies  of  the  case 
absolutely  require ;  and,  consequently,  we  cannot  rise  in 
the  esteem  of  the  Church  as  we  otherwise  might.  3.  It 
is  unfair  towards  our  married  brethren  who  are  recom- 
mended to  the  Conference.  Men  of  power,  and  capable, 
m  many  instances,  of  taking  charge  of  Circuits  at  once, 
are  not — owing  to  the  fact  that  they  have  families — 
received;  and  the  preference  is  given  to  single  men, 
exclusively  owing  to  this  consideration.  Therefore,  fair 
dealing  requires  that  we  should  not  prematurely  marry, 
and  bring  a  family  upon  the  Church,  the  very  thing  that 
led  to  the  failure  of  the  married  man's  application. 
4.  Is  it  respectful  to  the  Conference  to  marry  in  one, 


IN   THE    ITINERANCY.  135 

Bethlehem  Methodist  Episojpal  Church. 

two,  or  even  three  years,  wlien  it  expects  us  to  remain 
eingle  at  least  four  years  ?  5.  By  being  prematm^e,  can 
we  place  our  families  in  situations'  of  comfort  ? 

It  would  be  well  for  us,  young  brethren  in  the  minis- 
try, to  deliberate  upon  this  matter.  Perhaps  some  will 
say  :  "  Have  we  not  power  to  lead  about  a  sister,  a  wife, 
as  well  as  other  apostles,  and  as  the  brethren  of  the 
Lord  and  Cephas?"  We  have  a  right;  and,  at  the 
proper  time,  we  shall  be  perhaps  to  blame,  and  we  shall 
perhaps  do  ourselves  and  the  Church  injury,  if  we 
do  not  go  according  to  our  right.  But  let  us  marry  in 
the  Lord ;  then  we  shall  experience  that  "  Whoso  findeth 
a  wife,  findeth  a  good  thing,  and  obtaineth  favour  of  the 
Lord." 

At  this  Conference,  I  w^as  appointed  to  Bethlehem 
station,  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia.  This  church  was 
built  in  1843,  under  the  supervision  of  the  North  City 
Home  Mission.  Rev.  John  Street  was,  at  the  time,  the 
missionary ;  and,  through  his  efficient  services,  this  work 
was  greatly  advanced.  This  brother  has  a  mind  for  the 
work,  and  has  been  a  blessing  to  many.  He  will  not 
lose  his  reward.  The  occupancy  of  this  church  in  Cal- 
lowhill  street,  superseded  the  Fairmount  church;  this 
being  a  more  desirable  location,  they  all  flocked  to  the 
standard  planted  by  this  pioneer  society.  Many  souls, 
however,  had  been  converted ;  and  a  goodly  number  had, 
through  the  efforts  of  the  Fairmount  church,  joined  the 


13G  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

Emory  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

Church  triumphant  in  Heaven.  I  found  this  an  inter- 
esting appointment,  and  our  house  was  much  too  small. 
One  evening  when  there  was  a  great  crowd  of  persons, 
during  the  prayer  meeting  which  followed  the  preaching, 
the  north-west  corner  of  the  church  sunk  down  some  two 
feet.  The  meeting  at  the  time  was  very  lively.  Some 
were  shouting,  and  others  were  seeking  religion  at  the 
altar.  The  accident  was  hardly  observed.  Had  the 
greatest  catastrophe  come  upon  us  then,  we  were  happy 
in  God,  and  the  probability  is,  we  should  have  shouted 
on.  The  breach  was  healed,  and  the  house  ready  for 
occupancy  the  next  evening. 

I  remained  with  this  church  two  years,  and  had  a 
great  desire  to  see  a  larger  edifice  erected ;  but,  in  this 
respect,  it  was  not  my  privilege  to  see  the  salvation  of 
God.  The  society  continued  to  worship  in  the  same 
humble  place  till  1852 ;  when  Bethlehem  was  razed  to 
the  ground,  and,  on  the  same  lot,  a  large  and  a  more 
beautiful  temple  was  put  up,  under  the  pastorship  of  Rev. 
William  L.  Gray,  who  remained  another  year  to  preach, 
in  this  delightful  structure,  the  unsearchable  riches  of 
Christ.  The  new  house  was  called  "  Emory  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,"  in  honour  of  Bishop  Emory.  Many, 
however,  clung  to  the  name  of  Bethlehem — interesting 
name,  as  it  was  the  place  where  the  Saviour  was  born ! 
This  church  compromised  this  matter  of  name,  by  putting 
the   stone   originally   inserted,'*  bearing    the   name   of 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  137 

Ilev.  Henry  G.  King. 

"Bethleliem,"  &c.,  in  tlie  north  end  of  the  church.  On 
Callowhill  street,  the  church  fronts,  and  the  modern 
name  appears.  I  like  this  spirit  of  compromise.  But, 
above  every  name,  may  God's  name  be  therein  recorded ! 
This  name  is  high  over  all,  in  hell,  or  earth,  or  sky. 

The  Lord  favoured  us  in  this  charge  with  an 
interesting  revival.  Many  were  added  to  the  Church. 
The  Sunday  School  here  was  a  great  acquisition  to 
us ;  it  was  well  conducted.  In  reviewing  the  per- 
sons I  received  into  society  in  that  charge,  I  find  at 
least  two  who  are  engaged  as  itinerant  ministers. 
I  recollect,  in  one  case,  when  I  accosted  the  young  man 
on  the  subject  of  religion,  he  was  disposed  to  treat  me 
and  the  cause  with  considerable  disdain ;  but  I  do  not 
consider  this  a  bad  omen  in  all  cases.  He  was  like  a 
young  man,  in  the  gospel,  who  said,  when  called  upon  to 
work  in  the  vineyard,  "I  will  not;  but  afterwards 
he  repented,  and  went." 

While  labouring  in  this  charge,  it  was  necessary,  on 
a  certain  occasion,  to  make  a  strong  financial  efibrt. 
Our  brethren  desired  the  services  of  Rev.  Henry  G. 
King,  one  of  our  most  valuable  living  ministers,  and 
now  among  the  fathers  in  the  Philadelphia  Conference. 
His  services  on  such  occasions  are  greatly  appreciated, 
and  justly  so.  On  this  occasion,  he  did  well,  and  all 
that  was  asked  for  was  obtained.  At  the  time  he  was 
serving  us,  he  was  pastor  of  the  Frankford  Methodist 
12* 


138      TninxEEN  years'  experience 

Conversion  of  his  son. 

Episcopal  Church.  The  arrangement  was  for  me  to 
preach  in  his  pulpit  the  Sunday  night  of  that  day.  1 
did  the  best  I  could ;  and,  although  there  was  no  pro- 
tracted meeting,  and  I  had  to  return  to  the  city  that 
night — a  distance  of  six  or  seven  miles — I  felt  impressed 
that  it  was  my  duty  to  hold  a  prayer  meeting,  and  try  to 
get  some  one  converted.  I  told  the  audience  my  feeling, 
and  pressingly  invited  mourners  forward.  There  was, 
instantly,  almost,  a  youth  who  presented  himself,  greatly 
distressed ;  he  used  a  holy  violence,  and  seemed  deter- 
mined to  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  God.  The  mother 
of  the  penitent  said  to  me,  with  emphasis,  as  I  was  pass- 
ing up  and  down  the  aisle:  "Brother  Manship,  that's 
my  James ;  pray  for  him,  do  pray  for  him !"  We  all 
rallied  around  the  youth ;  and  it  was  not  long  before  the 
shout  of  the  new-born  soul  was  heard.  I  believe  my 
readers  will  be  greatly  pleased  when  I  tell  them  that 
that  youth  was  the  son  of  Rev.  Henry  G.  King ;  and 
they  will  be  still  more  pleased  when  I  tell  them  that  God 
has  called  him  to  the  work  of  the  ministry,  and  that  he 
is  now  a  promising  young  minister,  travelling  in  the  Phi- 
ladelphia Conference. 

The  height  of  my  ambition  was  realized — a  soul  was 
converted  !  I  went  into  the  city  in  a  shouting  mood,  and 
bore  the  news  to  the  father  that  night,  late  as  it  was. 
"  When  the  Lord  turned  again  the  captivity  of  Zion,  we 
were  like  them  that  dream."  I  was  able  joyfully  to  testify 


IN   THE    ITINERANCY.  139 

A  testimonial  of.  regard, 

that  this  was  not  a  dream,  but  a  glorious  reality.  IIow  it 
must  cheer  the  heart  of  the  aged,  faithful  minister,  who 
is  passing  downwards  to  the  tomb,  to  have  a  son  coming 
forward  to  do  battle  for  the  Lord  of  Hosts !  It  is  a 
beautiful  sight  to  see  the  son  walking  in  the  footsteps  of 
his  sire.  How  grandly  does  the  prophet  speak  of  the 
legate  of  the  skies  !  "  How  beautiful  upon  the  mountains 
are  the  feet  of  him  that  bringeth  good  tidings,  that  pub- 
lisheth  peace ;  that  bringeth  good  tidings  of  good,  that 
publisheth  salvation,  that  saith  unto  Zion,  Thy  God 
reigneth !" 

I  should  perhaps  treat  the  trustees  and  the  society 
of  Bethlehem  charge  with  want  of  gratitude,  if  I  did  not 
mention  a  little  incident,  which  occurred  towards  the 
end  of  my  term  with  them.  As  an  expression  of  their 
esteem  they  presented  me  with  a  valuable  watch,  which 
I  shall  carry  near  my  heart,  perhaps  till  the  day  of  my 
death.  The  kind  friends  offered  me  a  gold  watch.  It 
was  beautiful  and  very  tempting  to  the  eye  ;  but,  in  view 
of  my  position,  the  teachings  of  the  Scriptures,  and  our 
general  rules,  which  forbid  "  the  putting  on  of  gold  and 
costly  apparel,"  I  could  not  conscientiously  accept  the 
offer,  and  told  the  committee  that  a  good  silver  one  would 
be  preferable.  My  wishes  were  gratified.  There  was  a 
difference  in  the  cost  of  some  forty  dollars ;  but  that 
society,  unexpected  to  myself,  generously  gave  me  the 
difference  in  money.    The  watch  that  I  have  is  just  as  good 


140  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

An  affecting  caso  of  hydrophobia. 

as  it  regards  keeping  time.  There  are  many  in  the  minis- 
try who  carry  gold  watches,  better  Christians  than  I  am, 
and  I  do  not  wish  to  be  considered  censorious,  and  I  en- 
dorse the  doctrine  of  Paul:  "Let  every  man  be  fully 
persuaded  in  his  own  mind."  Such  a  present  is  valuable 
in  more  ways  than  one.  May  it  not  have  a  spiritual 
bearing'.?  It  admonishes  us  of  the  flight  of  time,  and  we 
should  be  impressed  with  the  vast  amount  of  work  there 
is  to  be  done  by  us  ministers,  and  the  short  time  there  is 
for  the  accomplishment  of  the  work. 

**  Time,  like  an  ever  rolling  stream, 
Bears  all  its  sons  away  ; 
They  fly  forgotten,  as  a  dream 
Dies  at  the  opening  day." 

I  was  called  upon  in  this  neighbourhood  to  visit  a 
man  who  had  been  bitten  by  his  pet  dog,  and  was  sup- 
posed to  have  the  hydrophobia.  It  was  a  trial  to  go  ; 
and  yet  I  felt  it  my  duty.  Of  course,  under  such  circum- 
stanc  ^s  we  should  be  discreet.  But,  as  a  general  thing, 
ministers  should  feel  like  saying  in  the  time  of  danger 
in  the  language  of  Nehemiah,  "  Shall  such  a  man  as  I 
flee  ?"  I  found  the  man,  who  was  in  this  sad  condition, 
to  be  the  head  of  a  family,  in  the  meridian  of  life,  and 
of  the  most  respectable  standing  in  society.  But,  awful 
to  tell,  he  had  neglected  to  prepare  to  meet  God,  and 
it  seemed  now  too  late  (there  being  no  hope,  according 


IN  THE  ITINERANCY.  141 

Inconsistency  of  worldlings. 

to  the  opinions  of  physicians  present,  that  he  coukl  live 
over  a  very  few  hours)  to  do  the  work  of  a  lifetime.  I 
tried  to  pray  with  him.  Afterwards,  at  his  request,  I 
sat  down  with  him  at  the  tea-table.  He  could  neither 
eat  nor  drink.  Wildly  he  would  exclaim,  "  This  is  the 
last  supper!  this  is  the  last  supper!!"  He  was  an 
object  of  pity,  the  picture  of  despair,  even  in  his  best 
mood,  while  I  was  present.  A  fit  came  on,  and  he  was 
a  perfect  demoniac,  foaming  at  the  mouth,  and  with  the 
fury  of  a  tiger,  the  effect  of  the  disease,  he  rushed 
upon  the  company,  who  had  met  at  the  house  under  the 
awful  circumstances ;  and  I  am  frank  to  confess,  I  went 
out  with  more  velocity  than  I  went  into  the  house  ! 
Again,  under  the  influence  of  this  distemper,  he  broke 
through  the  back  door  :  Samson-like,  he  was  powerful 
and  carried  everything  before  him.  At  this  crisis  orders 
were  given  to  have  him  bound,  for  the  safety  of  others. 
Bound  down  with  cords,  this  strong  man  soon  died  in 
the  greatest  agony.     His  pet  dog  cost  him  his  life. 

On  returning  to  my  boarding-house  at  the  close  of 
an  evening  meeting  where  we  had  a  season  of  rejoicing, 
I  passed  a  hotel,  where  there  was  a  ball  going  on,  and 
the  parties  seemed  happy  in  their  way.  How  late  it 
lasted  I  know  not.  Many  are  ready  to  censure  the 
Methodists,  if  they  should  happen,  from  the  force  of 
circumstances,  to  continue  their  meetings  till  ten  o'clock, 
or  a  little  after,  especially  if  they  should  be  constrained 


142  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

Injurious  tendencies  of  dancing. 

to  shout  the  praises  of  the  Lord ;  and  yet  they  will  allow 
a  ball  to  go  forward  with  impunity,  even  though  the 
parties  should  ever  so  much  annoy  the  surrounding 
neighbourhood :  there  is  no  special  verdict  brought  in 
against  them  !  But  there  is  a  "  handwriting''  against 
such  revellings  and  bacchanalian  feasts.  It  was  literally 
so  in  this  case ;  for  a  prominent  actor  in  this  carousal, 
intoxicated  and  overcome  by  strong  drink,  at  midnight's 
hour  fell  headlong  down  stairs,  and  broke  his  neck.  I 
was  reliably  informed  this  man  had  been  religiously  edu- 
cated and  trained;  but  alas!  ho  was  "suddenly  de- 
stroyed." I  would,  through  this  medium,  admonish  all 
our  readers  to  beware  of  the  cotillion  party,  shun  the 
decent  ball.  Who  ever  reflected  on  a  dying  bed  with 
pleasure  upon  the  hours  spent  in  a  ball-room  ?  Who 
would  like  to  be  transferred  from  the  dancing  hall  to  the 
grave,  and  thence  to  the  judgment  seat  of  Christ  ?  Yet 
with  all  that  may  be  said  against  dancing,  there  are 
those  who  entertain  the  idea  that  their  sons  and  daugh- 
ters are  not  fully  educated  without  this  acccomplishment, 
and  their  great  desire  to  have  them  learn  politeness,  in- 
duces them  to  place  them  under  the  dancing  master.  Is 
he  such  a  character  as  you  would  have  your  children  to 
associate  with  for  moral  and  mental  improvement?  I 
am  astonished  when  I  find  sometimes  professors  of  reli- 
gion winking  at  this  practice,  and  aiding  and  abetting 
this  means,  among  many  others,  which  the  devil  resorts 


IN  THE  ITINEKANCY.  143 

A  young  Lutheran  minister. 

to,  in  order  to  lead  the  children  of  men  "  captive  at  his 
will."  Who  can  dance  and  at  the  same  time  obey  the 
precept,  "Be  ye  sober  and  watch  unto  prayer?" 

During  my  last  protracted  meeting  in  this  charge, 
we  were  favoured  on  a  Sunday  evening  occasion  with  a 
sermon  from  a  young  Lutheran  minister,  who  had  been 
trained  at  Gettysburg,  and  had  not  long  been  a  regular 
minister.  He  read  his  sermon ;  it  was  a  very  creditable 
production;  it  did  not,  however,  cut  like  a  two-edged 
sword,  as  we  could  have  desired.  I  followed  with  an 
exhortation,  in  which  I  tried  to  arouse  the  slumbering 
energies  of  the  congregation.  The  minister  looked  on 
with  considerable  amazement.  Penitents  presented 
themselves  at  the  altar,  and  plead  in  plaintive  strains : 
"  God  be  merciful  to  us  sinners."  I  invited  the  young 
minister  to  labour  w^ith  the  mourners  ;  he  had  not  been 
in  the  habit  of  seeing  it  on  this  wise,  and  was  ready  to 
say,  no  doubt,  "  We  have  seen  strange  things  to-day." 
At  our  urgent  request,  however,  he  went  to  work,  and, 
while  labouring  in  this,  to  him,  strange  manner,  his 
heart  was,  as  Mr.  Wesley  said,  "  strangely  warmed.'' 
The  next  day  he  paid  me  a  visit  at  my  residence,  spent 
an  hour  conversing  on  Christian  experience,  and  we 
prayed  together,  and  our  hearts  burned  within  us.  He 
told  me  that  he  experienced  last  night  ivhat  he  never 
hef ore  felt!     "I  thanked  God  and  took  courage."     I 


144  THIRTEEN   years'    EXPERIENCE 

"Mention  not  that  namo." 

have  not  seen  that  young  minister  since  ;  I  hope  to  meet 
him  on  that  bright  shore 

"  Where  parting  sounds  -will  pass  our  lips  no  more." 

Several  of  my  members  were  employed  in  the  Eastern 
Penitentiary,  and,  among  the  number,  the  brother  with 
whom  I  boarded.  I  was  kindly  invited  to  go  there  and 
preach,  which  I  did,  occasionally.  Frequently  I  visited 
that  place  in  company  with  friends.  The  unfortunate 
ones  there  are  well  cared  for ;  and,  I  presume,  there  is 
no  place  in  this  nation  where  greater  pains  are  taken, 
and  more  money  expended,  to  make  the  institutions  of 
this  character  comfortable,  than  in  Philadelphia.  But 
how  withering  the  thought,  I  am  an  inmate  of  the  state's 
prison  !  And  how  few  do  such  institutions  reform,  com- 
paratively !  I  want,  in  this  connexion,  to  present  my 
readers  with  a  most  touching  incident.  A  fine-looking 
young  man  was  sentenced  to  the  Penitentiary.  Before 
he  was  assigned  his  place,  the  Superintendent  kindly 
conversed  with  him,  and  asked  him  many  questions.  He 
replied  promptly  to  them,  displaying  no  special  feeling. 
He  at  length  proposed  this  question  to  him  :  "  Have  you 
a  mother?"  His  countenance  changed  instantly,  tears 
stood  in  his  eyes,  and  he  exclaimed,  "  My  God  !  sir,  men- 
tion not  that  name  to  me  !"  Overcome  with  emotion,  he 
sank  down  into  an  arm-chair,  and  wept  aloud.  His 
mother,  perhaps,  had  taught  him  to  pray,  "  Our  Father 


IN   THE   nmERANCY.  145 

Reception  of  returned  volunteers. 

who  art  in  Heaven,"  and  had  admonished  him  to  sobriety 
and  religion ;  but  he  had  disregarded  her  counsel. 
Although  she  was,  perhaps,  cold  in  death,  and  could  not 
watch  over  him — he  could  not  hear  her  friendly  voice 
nor  see  her  bosom  heaving  with  solicitude  for  him,  and 
he  had  been  overcome  and  brought  to  tliis  doleful  place 
— still,  he  had  not  forgotten  his  mother,  and  could  not 
bear  to  hear  her  name  mentioned. 

While  connected  with  this  charge,  I  spoke  at  the 
funerals  of  several  retui-ned  volunteers  in  the  Mexican 
war.  When  that  war  terminated,  and  our  heroic  soldiers 
came  home,  there  were  some  most  affecting  scenes.  They 
were  received  by  a  delighted  city ;  never  did  I  see  Phi- 
ladelphia present  a  more  cheerful  appearance.  The 
stars  and  the  stripes  were  seen  in  every  direction ;  the 
firing  of  cannon  was  almost  constantly  heard.  Flowers 
strewed  the  pathway,  now  and  then,  of  the  careworn  but 
victorious  soldiers.  *'  Music  sweet,  music  soft,"  was 
heard  from  almost  every  band  in  this  city.  In  golden 
letters  the  beholder  could  see  inscribed,  in  prominent 
places,  "Welcome  home!"  They  appreciated  it  all; 
and,  could  they  have  spoken,  I  imagine  they  would  have 
exclaimed,  in  substance, 

"Home  is  sweet,  home  is  sweet, 

From  a  foreign  shore ; 

And  oh !  it  fills  my  soul  with  joy 

To  meet  my  friends  once  more." 
13 


146  THIRTEEN   years'    EXPERIENCE 

The  joyful  surprise. 

As  the  procession  passed  through  one  of  the  streets, 
there  ^as  seen  the  delicate  form  of  a  female.  Her 
countenance  was  sad.  Iler  son  had  been  in  the  war, 
and  news  had,  some  months  previously,  been  brought  to 
her  that  he  had  fallen  in  battle;  she  therefore  never 
expected  to  see  him  again.  He  however  yet  lived,  and 
was  one  of  those  who,  by  God's  blessing,  had  the  privi- 
lege of  treading  again  his  native  soil.  He  was  aware 
that  his  mother  was  under  the  impression  that  he  was 
dead ;  and,  when  he  caught  a  glimpse  of  his  grieving 
parent,  he  exclaimed,  making  signs  so  that  she  might 
recognise  him,  '■^Mother,  heres  John;  he  is  safe  at 
ho?ne!" 

The  Lord  was  better  to  that  lady  than  she  expected ; 
and  she  could  say,  "  the  Lord  delivered  me  from  all  my 
fears."  Joy  filled  her ;  it  was  to  her  like  one  rising  from 
the  dead. 

While  I  gazed  upon  the  scenes  of  this  day,  I  thought 
of  the  sacramental  host;  I  thought  of  the  last  battle 
being  fought  with  the  eruemies  of  King  Jesus ;  I  thought 
of  the  victory  that  we  should  gain.  The  passage  rushed 
upon  my  mind  :  ''  The  ransomed  of  the  Lord  shall  return 
and  come  to  Zion  with  songs  and  everlasting  joy  upon 
their  heads :  they  shall  obtain  joy  and  gladness,  and 
sorrow  and  sighing  shall  flee  away." 

And,  indeed,  my  readers,  I  was  so  happy  and  over- 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  147 

Fight  the  good  fight. 

joyed,  I  could  scarcely  contain  myself.     I  felt  the  force 
and  spirit  of  the  poet : — 

"  It  sets  my  heart  all  in  a  flame, 
A  soldier  for  to  be  ; 
I  will  enlist,  gird  on  my  arms, 
And  fight  for  liberty. 

"  To  see  our  armies  on  parade. 
How  martial  they  appear ! 
All  armed  and  dressed  in  uniform, 
They  look  like  men  of  war, 

**  Sinners,  enlist  with  Jesus  Christ, 
The  eternal  Son  of  God ; 
And  march  with  us  to  Canaan's  land, 
Beyond  the  swelling  flood. 

*^Lift  up  your  heads,  ye  soldiers  bold. 
Redemption's  drawing  nigh ; 
We  soon  shall  hear  the  trumpet's  sound 
That  shakes  the  earth  and  sky." 

I  would  most  devoutly  pray  that  our  own  and  other 
nations  should  be  so  brought,  under  the  influence  of 
the  Christian  religion  as  ''not  to  lift  up  sword  against 
nation,  neither  learn  war  any  more."  But  with  holy 
enthusiasm  I  would  admonish  my  fellow-soldiers  to  endure 
hardness,  and  march  forward  under  our  glorious  standard- 
bearer,  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  under  whom  alone  we 
can  fight  in  security,  and  by  whom  alone  we  shall  triumph 
gloriously.    Soldiers  !  after  all  your  fighting  here,  though 


148  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

Pray  without  ceasing. 

doomed  to  hardship  and  many  a  battle,  there  is  a  rest, 
a  glorious  rest !  "  And  in  that  day  there  shall  be  a  root 
of  Jesse  which  shall  stand  for  an  ensign  of  the  people, 
to  it  shall  the  Gentiles  seek :  and  his  rest  shall  be 
glorious." 

"When  that  illustrious  day  shall  rise, 
And  all  thy  armies  shine 
In  robes  of  victory  through  the  skies, 
The  glory  shall  be  thine." 

Christian  mothers,  think  of  the  transport  of  that 
mother — who  was  under  the  apprehension  that  her 
son  would  never  return,  but  that  his  bones  would  bleach 
on  the  sun-burnt  shores  of  Mexico — when  she  saw,  to 
her  great  surprise,  with  the  returned  volunteers,  that  form 
so  dear  to  her,  and  heard  his  exclamation,  "Mother, 
here's  John;  he  is  safe  at  home !"  and,  while  you  think 
of  this,  hope  for  your  prodigal  son.  You  have  a  thou- 
sand times  remembered  him  in  your  prayers :  "  Kachel 
has  wept  for  her  children."  Suppose  those  prayers  and 
tears  should  apparently ■  prove  unavailing;  that,  when 
you  lie  on  the  bed  of  death,  that  callous-hearted  youth 
should  refuse — hesitate  to  make  to  his  dying  mother  even 
the  promise  to  join  her  society  on  Canaan's  peaceful 
shore.  Yet  those  prayers  will  follow  him,  your  dying 
admonitions  he  cannot  forget.  He  will  see  the  old 
family  Bible  which  lies  on  the  stand,  its  pages  marked 
by  the  delicate  hand  and  bedewed  with  the  tears  of  his 


IN   THE    ITINERANCY.  149 

The  transport  at  meeting  loved  ones  in  heaven. 

mother,  and  may  resolve  to  be  again  united  never  more 
to  sever ;  and,  when  the  ''  ransomed  host  shall  shout,  "VYe 
are  come,"  led  on  by  our  all- victorious  Captain  through 
that  City  whose  walls  are  jasper  and  whose  streets  are 
gold, 

"  Triumpliant  there,  in  bliss  complete,   . 

And  cast  our  crowns  before  his  feet, 

In  endless  day," 

think  what  the  transport  will  be  when  you  shall  see  this 
son,  that  you  feared  would  be  for  ever  lost,  amid  the  sacra- 
mental host,  and  hear  him  shout,  thus  dispelling  all  doubt, 
"  Mother,  here's  John  ;  he  is  safe  at  home  !"  Cease  not, 
fond  mothers,  to  pray  for  your  loved  ones ;  "  for  the 
promise  is  unto  you  and  your  children." 


13* 


150  THIRTEEN    YEARS'    EXrERIEXCE 


CHAPTER  VII. 

Sent  to  Easton — Rev.  Joseph  Hartley — Changed  to  another  Field  in 
two  Weeks — Reasons  for  the  Change — Reflections  on  this  Matter — 
Receive  a  valuable  Letter — All  for  the  best — Methodism  in  New 
Castle — Churches  should  be  eligibly  located — Thomas  Challenger, 
Sr, — High  Sheriff  converted,  and  dies  happy — Preach  his  Funeral 
Sermon — "Preach  to  Spirits  in  Prison" — The  Gospel  the  Hope  of 
the  Hopeless — Perform  the  Marriage  Ceremony  in  Jail — A  Man 
wanted  to  be  unmarried ! — Rev.  John  D.  Long — Persecution  not  to 
be  tolerated — The  Word  of  the  Lord  the  highest  Authority — The 
Midnight  Cry — Rev.  Nicholas  Ridgley — Happy  Day ;  several  seek- 
ing Religion  in  a  Parlour — Camp  Meeting  well  conducted — The 
efficiency  of  Sunday  Schools — We  all  should  take  an  Interest  in 
them. 

IN  the  spring  of  1849,  somewhat  to  my  surprise,  my 
appointment  was  read  out  by  the  Bishop  for  Easton, 
Maryland.  Into  this  place,  Methodism  was  early  intro- 
duced. My  readers  may  be  interested  by  calling  their 
attention  to  Rev.  Joseph  Hartley,  a  man  of  great  zeal 
and  faithfulness,  who  was  one  of  the  first  travelling 
preachers  in  that  part  of  the  work,  and,  like  his  con- 
temporaries, met  with  great  persecution  in  preaching  the 
everlasting  gospel.  When  in  the  adjoining  county  of 
Queen  Ann's,  he  was  apprehended  for  this  work  and 
labour  of  love,  and  had  to  give  bonds  and  security  to 
appear  for  trial  at  the  next  Court.  When  forbidden  to 
preach,  he  attended  his  appointments,  and,  after  singing 
and  prayer,  stood  upon  his  hvees!    and  exhorted  the 


IN    THE   ITINERANCY.  151 

Eev.  Joseph  Hartley  in  prison. 

people.  From  this  point,  lie  was  led  into  Talbot  county  ; 
Vfhere  he  was  actually  seized  and  committed  to  jail  for 
preaching  Jesus  and  him  crucified  !  This  by  no  means 
silenced  him ;  his  imprisonment  brought  the  people 
together  at  the  prison,  and,  through  the  grates,  he  lifted 
up  his  voice  like  a  trumpet.  Many  who  heard  the  word 
were  pungently  convicted,  and  began  earnestly  to  seek 
the  Lord.  This  man  of  God  was  in  a  degree  bound, 
but  his  word  was  not  bound ;  it  had  "  free  course,  and 
was  glorified."  This  state  of  things  created  a  great 
panic  amongst  the  enemies  of  religion,  and  led  them  to 
say :  "  Unless  Hartley  is  released  from  prison,  he  will 
convert  the  whole  town  of  Easton."  He  was  released, 
sure  enough,  as  a  matter  of  policy;  but  a  powerful 
revival  followed,  and  a  society  was  established.  And 
this  rod,  which  our  Aaron  ''  threw  down,  has  swallowed 
up  all  the  other  rods." 

Vv^hen  I,  more  than  seventy  years  afterwards,  had 
the  privilege  of  being  appointed  to  the  charge  of  that 
field  of  labour,  I  found  Methodism  wielding  a  tremendous 
influence,  not  only  in  the  town  of  Easton,  but  throughout 
the  beautiful  county  of  Talbot.  As  an  evidence  of  the 
estimate  that  is  placed  upon  Methodism  and  Methodist 
preachers  in  that  town — although  it  is  a  comparatively 
small  place,  not  exceeding  in  population  fifteen  hundred 
—yet,  in  the  spring  of  1848,  the  Philadelphia  Annual 
Conference  was  held  there ;  and,  had  there  been  many 


152  THIRTEEN   years'    EXPERIENCE 

The  ominous  text. 

more  connected  with  the  Conference,  they  could  have 
been  entertained  noblj  and  with  the  greatest  ease ;  for 
the  people  there  have  hearts  ! 

After  the  close  of  the  Conference,  I  delayed  no  time 
in  getting  on  to  the  field  which  had  been  assigned  me. 
There  are  many  reasons,  I  think,  why  a  preacher  should, 
as  soon  as  possible,  reach  his  new  appointment.  Our 
first  preaching  was  in  the  town  of  Easton.  The  text  I 
took  was,  "  He  that  goeth  forth  and  weepeth,  bearing 
precious  seed,  shall  doubtless  come  again  with  rejoicing, 
bringing  his  sheaves  with  him."  The  text,  it  would  seem, 
was  ominous  in  my  case  about  that  time,  as  my  redders 
will  presently  see.  My  colleague  was  Rev.  Charles  I. 
Thompson,  who  had  been  on  the  Circuit  the  preceding 
year,  and  who  lived  greatly  in  the  hearts  of  the  peoj^le. 
We  were  both  comparatively  young  men,  and  we  thought 
we  had  a  disposition  to  do  with  our  might  whatsoever 
our  hands  should  find  to  do.  We  began  together  to  visit 
from  house  to  house.  We  found  the  people  affectionate, 
and  in  words  and  looks  they  told  us  ive  ivere  ivelcome. 
AYe  found  a  gracious  revival  had  been  going  on,  both 
among  the  white  and  coloured.  It  was  still  progressing 
among  the  people  of  colour.  I  preached  onc€  for  them 
in  their  church,  and  a  happier  set  of  people  I  never  saw. 
We  were  arranging,  in  our  intercourse  together,  our  plans 
for  the  year.  Brother  Thompson  thought  that  one  or 
two  churches  on  the  Circuit  could  be  built,  if  we  could 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  153 

Appointment  changed. 

begin  in  time.  I  told  him  I  was  ready  to  do  my  part. 
I  was  greatly  pleased  with  the  Circuit,  and  felt  myself 
highly  honom-ed  to  be  sent  to  it;  and  I  was  deeply 
interested  in  my  associate  in  the  glorious  work,  and  felt 
that  what  I  might  lack  he  could  supply.  The  month  of 
April,  however,  had  not  passed  away,  before  I  was 
apprised,  by  the  powers  that  be,  that  my  appointment 
was  changed !  This  was  an  unexpected  arrangement  to 
me,  and  it  was  not  any  less  so  to  the  people  of  Easton, 
who  had,  unworthy  as  I  was,  received  me  kindly.  And, 
to  prevent  any  from  concluding  that  the  change  was 
made  by  their  seeking,  at  their  first  Quarterly  Meeting 
a  preamble  and  resolutions  were  unanimously  passed, 
clearly  stating  their  satisfaction  with  my  appointment 
among  them,  and  "  that  I  should  have  been  cordially  and 
gladly  retained,  but  for  the  change  made  by  the  proper 
authorities."  And  this  loyal  Quarterly  Meeting  Con- 
ference, composed  of  intelligent  and  pious  men — though 
they  had  not,  any  more  than  myself,  been  consulted 
relative  to  the  change — determined  that  they  would 
receive  the  minister  who  was  to  take  my  place,  and  rally 
around  him.  I  exhorted  them,  publicly  and  privately, 
so  to  do.  I  thought  this  was  the  best,  under  the 
circumstances. 

The  inquiry  will  be  started.  Why  was  this  change 
necessary  ?  I  answer,  it  grew  out  of  the  refusal,  on  the 
part  of  one'  of  our  stations,  to  receive  the  minister  who 


154  THIRTEEN    YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

Refuse  not  to  receive  your  preacher. 

was  that  spring  appointed  to  them.  With  all  due  defer- 
ence to  the  places  that  pursue  a  course  of  this  kind,  I 
feel,  from  a  sense  of  dutj,  compelled  to  say,  it  is  a  pity 
that  the  practice  of  refusing  an  appointed  preacher  should 
ever  have  been  allowed.  Unless  very  speedily  stopped, 
it  must  ruin  the  itinerancy.  There  is  but  little  hope  of 
continuing  it,  if  the  peoj^le  are  permitted  absolutely  to 
nullify  a  regular  appointment.  It  would  be  far  better 
that  several  churches  and  congregations  should  be  given 
up,  than  that  this  great  principle  should  cease  to  operate. 
Let  the  people  remonstrate  by  giving  reasons,  where  they 
exist,  for  a  change ;  but  never,  never  should  a  church 
be  allowed  to  refuse  to  receive  one  sent  them.  Inde- 
pendently of  the  importance  of  the  principle,  no  change 
can  be  effected,  ordinarily,  without  inflicting  an  injury 
someivhere. 

In  this  revolution  of  ''the  great  iron  wheel,"  as  our 
system  has  been  called,  I  had  more  to  suffer  than  any 
one  else.  The  affliction  was  severe ;  and  yet  I  have  not 
one  word  of  censure  to  offer  to  the  appointing  power  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  I  know  that  the 
Bishop  and  his  council  are  fallible,  and  may  err,  and 
may  also  be  imposed  upon.  Nevertheless,  I  say,  from 
my  heart,  I  want  Methodism  to  remain  as  it  is,  and 

stand 

"As  she  ever  liatli  stood, 
And  brightly  her  builder  display, 
And  flame  with  the  glory  of  God." 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  155 


"A  word  spoken  in  due  season,  how  good  is  it!" 


In  the  end  of  this  unusual  arrangement,  I  found 
myself  safely  moored  in  the  quiet  harboiu'  of  New  Castle, 
Delaware,  an  old  town,  laid  out  by  William  Penn  at  an 
early  period  in  the  history  of  our  country.  It  is  actually 
an  older  town  than  Philadelphia;  and  Penn's  design 
was,  there  to  locate  his  city.  But,  after  taking  steps  to 
this  effect,  he  found  it  better  to  go  farther  up  the  beau- 
tiful Delaware,  and  fix  his  city  in  another  location. 

A  dear  friend,  of  high  standing  in  the  Church,  writing 
to  me,  says  :  "  Providence  may  have  a  hand  in  this  whole 
matter,  to  an  extent  which  we  cannot  now  discover.  The 
events  of  the  year  may  develop  it.  It  may  be  that  you 
are  the  very  man  whom  God  has  chosen,  and  thus  myste- 
riously directed,  to  put  Methodism  on  a  right  foundation 
in  New  Castle,  a  place  which  seems  to  have  defied,  to  a 
great  extent,  all  our  previous  labours.  And,  then,  it  is 
a  healthy  position ;  and  the  change  may  be  the  preserva- 
tion of  your  life,  and  that  of  your  wife,  for  future  and 
yet  more  important  labours.  So,  cheer  up.  Brother  M.  1 
you  have  not  forgotten  that  beautiful  passage:  'All 
things  work  together,'  &c. — you  know  it."  In  this  very 
encouraging  letter  from  a  valuable  friend,  there  was  a 
message  also  from  Bishop  J.  "  Tell  Brother  M.  he  has 
our  sympathies  and  prayers ;  and  tell  him  to  go  to  work 
in  New  Castle  like  a  good  fellow — it  will  do  him  no  harm 
in  the  end."  Much  good  is  accomplished  by  Christian 
correspondence. 


156  THIRTEEN   years'    EXPERIENCE 

"  All  things  work  together  for  good." 

This  point  reached,  I  tried  to  dismiss  from  my 
mind  the  events  of  the  past,  put  the  best  construction 
on  everything,  and  "rejoice  evermore,  pray  without 
ceasing,  and  in  everything  give  thanks."  That  spring 
(1849)  this  station  had  not  been  supplied,  and  there  was 
a  vacancy.  The  design  was,  for  New  Castle  to  be  con- 
nected with  Delaware  City ;  to  this,  New  Castle  objected, 
and  desired  still  to  be  a  distinct  station.  Therefore,  in 
this  respect,  there  seemed  to  be  a  Providence ;  and  not 
only  in  this  particular,  but  in  many  others,  I  think  I 
was  able  to  see  the  hand  of  Providence  plainly.  Neither 
in  time,  nor  while  eternity  shall  roll  its  solemn  rounds, 
shall  I  have  occasion  to  regret  that  I  was  mysteriously 
placed  over  the  church  of  our  denomination  in  that  place. 
And,  after  remaining  one  year,  such  was  my  contentment, 
and  such  was  the  heavenly  feeling  that  pervaded  both 
the  hearts  of  the  people  and  pastor,  that  I  should  have 
been  highly  gratified  "to  have  been  re-appointed  in  the 
spring  of  1850.  But  my  poor  services  seemed  to  be 
required  in  another  direction,  as  my  readejs  will  see  by 
and  by ;  and  I  was  under  the  necessity  of  giving  to  this 
loving  society  and  congregation  the  parting  hand,  and 
my  connexion  as  pastor  was  dissolved ;  but  our  affection, 
I  trust,  has  not,  and  never  will  be. 

In  New  Castle  the  Methodist  Church  is  not  the 
strongest.  Our  Episcopalian  and  Presbyterian  friends 
are  older :  both  the  Episcopal  and  Presbyterian  churches 


IN   THE   ITINEKANCY.  157 

Why  Methodism  has  not  prospered  in  New  Castle. 

have  been  established  more  than  a  hundred  years! 
Their  antiquity  gives  them  strength.  Moreover,  in  the 
town  of  New  Castle  there  is  a  greater  amount  of  aris- 
tocracy than  in  any  town  in  which  it  ever  has  been  my 
lot  to  labour ;  and  our  Church  is  not  so  well  suited  to  the 
aristocracy  of  this  country  as  some  others.  This  gives 
our  sister  denominations  in  this  place  an  advantage  over 
us.  I  will  venture  another  reason  why  our  church  has 
not  been  more  efficient  in  this  town.  When  our  fathers 
erected  churches,  for  some  cause  the  plan  of  putting  them 
in  the  outskirts  of  the  town  was  adopted ;  no  doubt  the 
fathers  supposed  they  had  sufficient  reasons  for  pursuing 
this  course.  And  the  brethren,  thirty  years  ago,  when 
they  first  built  a  house  of  worship  in  this  place,  fell  into 
this  error.  In  my  opinion,  no  circumstance  has  clogged 
our  wheels  more  than  this.  In  the  town  of  New  Castle 
the  church  is  not  conveniently  located. 

At  the  present  day,  we  pursue  in  this  matter  a  dif- 
ferent course,  and,  I  think,  "a  more  excellent  way." 
We  try  to  secure  the  best  and  most  prominent  sites 
for  our  church  edifices  in  our  towns  and  cities.  And  we 
feel  it  is  right,  "not  to  keep  our  light  under  a  bushel," 
hut  to  act  on  the  suggestion  of  the  evangelical  prophet : 
"  0  Zion,  that  bringest  good  tidings,  get  thee  up  into 
the  high  mountain."  Take  a  conspicuous  place.  We 
are  not  to  be  intimidated  by  any  class  of  community. 
And  while  our  mission  is  to  the  poor  and  humble  of 
14 


158  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

Thomas  Challenger,  Sr. 

earth,  we  arc  to  follow  in  the  footsteps  of  the  Master, 
and  preach  salvation  to  lawyers  and  doctors ;  and,  Paul- 
like, we  must  penetrate  into  the  very  heart  of  Athens. 
On  this  point  again  hear  the  prophet :  "  0  Jerusalem, 
that  bringest  good  tidings,  lift  up  thy  voice  with  strength ; 
lift  it  up,  he  not  afraid.'' 

I  hope  to  live  to  see  the  day,  when  this  teaching  will 
be  practically  carried  out  in  the  town  of  New  Castle 
among  our  people.  A  church  of  the  right  size  and, 
quality,  in  the  very  heart  of  the  town,  would  place  Me- 
thodism where  she  ought  to  stand  in  that  place.  I  would 
not  be  considered  as  inclined  to  undervalue  what  has  been 
accomplished  in  this  place  for  the  last  thirty  years.  If 
we  could,  for  a  little  while,  "  walk  the  plains  of  light," 
and  be  made  acquainted  with  the  redeemed  there,  and 
find  out  from  "whence  came  they,"  doubtless  we  should 
ascertain  that  a  considerable  number  came  from  this 
place,  directly  through  the  instrumentality  of  Methodism. 
And  this  day  numerically  her  number  is  the  largest  of 
any  one  denomination  in  that  place.  In  connexion  with 
the  establishment  of  our  church  in  this  place,  too  much 
credit  cannot  be  given  to  Thomas  Challenger,  Sr.,  form- 
erly from  the  knd  of  the  Wesleys.  He  has  watered  the 
grain  of  mustard  seed  with  his  tears,  and  though  he  has 
not  seen  all  he  could  desire,  yet,  to  a  great  extent,  he 
has  seen  the  seed  which  he  and  his  few  co-labourers 
planted,  "  shooting  out  great  branches,  so  that  the  fowls 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  159 

There  is  mercy  even  for  the  politician. 

of  the  air  may  lodge  under  the  shadow  of  it."  He 
still  lives  the  same  faithful  Christiaiij  to  see  his  "  labour 
in  the  Lord  has  not  been  in  vain."  A  few  such  men 
would  have  saved  Sodom  and  Gomorrah  from  destruction. 

While  in  this  station,  I  formed  the  acquaintance  of 
the  high  sheriff  of  the  county.  His  wife  was  a  faithful 
member  of  our  church.  The  sheriff  was  not  religious. 
God  laid  upon  him  his  afflicting  hand,  and  it  was  sanc- 
tified to  his  good.  I  often  visited  him,  and  conversed 
with  him  on  the  subject  of  a  preparation  for  death,  and 
he  became  deeply  concerned,  sought  and  found  peace 
with  God  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  There  is 
mercy  even  for  the  politician,  who  will  hate  his  sins, 
repent,  and  believe  thfe  gospel.  I  took  him  into  our 
church,  and  he  was  faithful  unto  death,  which  overtook 
him  before  his  term  of  office  expired.  I  was  removed 
to  the  city  of  Wilmington  before  he  died,  yet  I  often 
visited  him,  and  was  with  him  a  short  time  before  he  left 
the  world.  I  found  him  waiting  joyfully  his  change. 
His  funeral  sermon  was  preached  by  myself  at  the  re- 
quest of  himself  and  that  of  the  family,  to  a  very  large 
concourse  of  people.  He  was  a  man  much  esteemed  by 
all  who  knew  him.  His  last  days  were  his  best  and 
liappiest  days. 

Being  intimate  with  the  sheriff  and  family,  who  had 
charge  of  the  jail,  I  frequently  visited  "  and  preached 
to  the  spirits  in  prison."     The  poor  unfortunate  crea- 


160         THIRTEEN  years'  EXPERIENCE 

Furget  not  the  piiiiuuer.  "Wedding  in  prison. 

turcs  did  very  greatly  excite  my  compassion.  The 
prisoner  ought  to  be  visited :  "  I  was  in  prison,  and  ye 
came  unto  me."  I  think  we  should  take  the  gospel  to 
them,  for,  while  there  may  be  no  hope  for  their  reputa- 
tion, their  family  may  have  no  hope  in  them,  and  they 
may  have  no  hope  of  release  from  the  stern  arm  of  the 
law,  which  they  have  violated,  still  the  minister  of  God, 
whose  business  it  is  to  ''  proclaim  liberty  to  the  captives, 
and  the  opening  of  the  prison  to  them  that  are  bound," 
with  God's  Holy  Word  in  his  hand,  which  is  the  hope 
of  the  hopeless,  may  say  to  those  immured  in  their  cells 
or  dungeons,  "  Turn  you  to  the  strong  hold,  ye  prisoners 
of  hope;  even  to-day  do  I  declare  that  I  will  render 
double  unto  thee." 

In  the  jail,  on  a  certain  occasion,  I  had  to  perform 
for  a  couple  the  marriage  ceremony.  Their  term  of 
imprisonment  was  at  an  end ;  and  I  suppose  that  they 
thought  it  would  be  well  to  perpetuate  their  friendship  ; 
and  they  obtained  a  legal  license,  and,  in  the  presence 
of  the  sheriff  and  several  others,  I  united  them  together 
in  the  silken  bonds  of  matrimony.  I  was  almost  over- 
come that  day,  notwithstanding  the  sacredness  of  tho 
institution.  When  I  commenced,  "  Wilt  thou  have 
this  woman  to  thy  wedded  wife?" — he  prematurely 
exclaimed,  "Yes,  sir."  Again  I  proceeded  with  the 
ceremony : — ''  Wilt  thou  love  her  ?" — and  before  I  could 
say  any  more,  he  replied,   "  Yes^  sir — yes,  sir."     My 


IN    THE    ITINERANCY.  161 

*'  Unmarry  me." 

readers  may  imagine  how  unpleasant  my  situation  must 
have  been ;  the  persons  present  could  not  refrain  from 
a  hearty  laugh.  When  I  turned  to  the  bride,  she  con- 
ducted herself  very  properly,  and,  in  a  moment  or  two, 
the  happy  twain  were  one.  To  do  justice  to  the  groom, 
I  should  say,  notwithstanding  the  unfavourable  circum- 
stances, he  did  not  fail  to  hand  to  the  parson  a  respect- 
Me  fee.  This  I  did  not  expect ;  but  sometimes,  when 
ministers  have  reason  from  appearances  to  expect  much, 
they  feel  the  force  of  the  old  adage,  "  A  bird  in  the  hand 
is  worth  two  in  the  bush."  I  never  heard  of  that  couple 
from  that  day  till  the  present  time.  I  was  struck,  how- 
ever, with  the  anxiety  which  seemed  to  characterize  the 
bride  and  groom  to  be  wedded,  especially  the  groom.  I 
hope  they  have  lived  happily  together ;  but  I  had  my 
fears.  I  have  often  thought  of  that  man,  and  wondered 
to  myself  whether  the  case  had  any  resemblance  to  a 
wedding  that  once  took  place  in  the  lower  part  of  Dela- 
ware. Rev.  Mr.  Davis,  a  very  popular  local  preacher, 
long  since  gone  to  heaven,  was  the  officiating  minister. 
The  groom  did  not  give  the  minister  any  compensation : 
nothing  was  said  at  the  time.  However,  not  long  after- 
wards, the  minister  met  the  groom  and  pleasantly 
remarked  to  him :  "  You  did  not  think  to  present  me 
with  anything  for  the  service  I  rendered  you  the  other 
day  ?"  The  groom  replied  with  considerable  emotion  : 
"  Mr.  Davis,  if  you  will  only  unmarry  me,  I  will  pay 
14* 


1G2  TiiirvTEEN  years'  experience 

Rev.  John  D.  Long.  Conversion  of  a  Romanist. 

you  both  bills."  Poor  fellow  !  it  is  presumable  be  had  a 
dear  bargain,  notwithstanding  the  fee  was  not  paid; 
and  it  is  very  likely  he  felt  the  force  of  the  Scripture  : 
"  It  is  better  to  dwell  in  a  corner  of  a  housetop,  than  with 
a  brawling  woman,  and  in  a  wide  house." 

Rev.  John  D.  Long  was  supernumerary  at  this  time  in 
New  Castle.  His  health  was  so  feeble  that  he  was  not 
many  years  able  to  do  effective  service.  He  had  for- 
merly been  pastor  of  the  church  in  this  place,  and  God 
made  him  a  blessing,  and  he  will  not  be  forgotten.  I 
think  I  should  present  my  readers  with  one  remarkable 
case  of  conversion  and  addition  to  the  Church  in  this 
place,  while  he  was  the  pastor.  It  was  a  young  woman 
from  the  Emerald  Isle.  She  had  been  brought  up  a 
strict  Catholic,  and  had  never  known  any  other  religion, 
until  God  in  his  providence  led  her  to  the  Methodist 
Church  in  this  place.  Her  eyes  were  opened  to  see :  She 
saw  "men  as  trees  walking."  Here  she  learned  to  feel 
and  sing, 

"Jesus,  thy  blood,  thy  blood  alone 
Hath  power  sufficient  to  atone."     - 

After  her  conversion  she  joined  the  Church,  which 
created  a  great  commotion,  and  her  Roman  Catholic 
relations  actually  threatened  to  do  her  injury — they 
"took  counsel  to  kill"  her.  How  thoughtless,  and  how 
wicked !     She  found  an  asylum  in  a  good  Methodist 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  163 

Search  the  Scriptures. 

family,  and  no  threats  which  were  made,  moved  her 
from  her  purpose;  she  was  "steadfast,  unmovable:" 
and  when  I  laboured  in  that  station,  she  was  "  abound- 
ing in  the  work  of  the  Lord."  She  is  now  the  head  of 
a  family,  settled  in  life.  I  met  her  recently  at  a  camp 
meeting  in  the  state  of  Maryland,  and  found  her  rooted 
and  grounded  in  the  faith  of  the  "  glorious  gospel."  In 
this  "  Land  of  the  free,  and  home  of  the  brave,"  Popery 
must  not  be  so  violent  as  she  is  in  some  other  countries. 
If  she  is,  the  x\merican  Eagle  will  pounce  down  upon 
her  fiercely,  and  strike  her  with  his  talons  to  the  heart. 
I  am  opposed  to  forcible  measures  either  among  Protest- 
ants or  Catholics,  but  let  truth  be  presented,  and  let 
every  one  have  the  opportunity  of  "  choosing"  whom  he  or 
she  "  will  serve."  The  Bible,  I  insist,  should  be  read.  It  is 
a  sufficient  rule  for  our  faith  and  practice.  This  is  God's 
book,  and  not  man's.  It  is  the  basis,  bulwark,  and  boast 
of  our  free  institutions,  and  points  out  the  way  to  hea- 
ven. Then  let  all  "  Search  the  Scriptures;  for  in  them 
ye  think  ye  have  eternal  life :  and  they  are  they  which 
testify  of  me."  These  are  the  words  of  Jesus;  and 
however  great  councils,  cardinals,  and  popes  may  be, 
their  words  and  commands  are  insignificant,  when  con- 
trasted with  His  who  "spake  as  never  man  spake." 

One  Sabbath  evening  I  was  endeavouring,  while 
pastor  of  the  New  Castle  Church,  to  preach  from  the 
parable  of  the  Wise  and  Foolish  Virgins.    The  subject  was 


1G4  THIRTEEN    years'    EXPERIENCE 

Behold,  the  bridegroom  cometh. 

solemn,  I  felt  deeply  so  myself.  But  there  were  some 
young  persons  a  little  inclined  to  levity,  and  to  disturb 
those  near  them.  In  explaining  my  subject  as  well  as  I 
could,  I  insisted  that  while  other  things  were  meant  by 
the  midnight  cry,  death  was  also  comprehended,  and  at 
midnight  literally,  the  cry  would  be  made,  and  some  one 
present  would  have  to  go.  And  who  knows,  I  asked, 
but  it  may  be  one  of  those  who  are  inclined  to  annoy  the 
meeting  ?  Not  many  days  elapsed,  before  one  was  taken 
ill :  his  sickness  was  unto  death.  I  was  called  up  late 
at  night  to  pray  for  him.  I  cheerfully  went,  and  tried 
to  encourage  him  to  have  faith  in  the  Lamb  of  God.  He 
did  the  best  he  could  under  the  circumstances,  in  the 
way  of  praying.  The  body  was  weak,  and  the  mind 
somewhat  flighty.  As  the  town  clock  dolefully  struck 
twelve^  we  were  all  upon  our  knees,  calling  upon  a  mer- 
ciful God  in  his  behalf.  Before  the  last  stroke  of  the 
clock  was  heard,  we' saw  plainly  death  had  struck  the 
fatal  blow.  "At  midnight,"  in  this  case,  "the  cry  was 
made,  Behold,  the  bridegroom  cometh."  Readers,  let  us 
have  our  vessels  filled  with  oil,  our  lamps  trimmed  and 
burning  brightly,  that  when  the  call  shall  be  made  by 
the  Lord,  we  shall  have  the  privilege  of  entering  in  to 
the  marriage  supper  of  the  Lamb.  "  Watch  therefore, 
for  ye  know  neither  the  day,  nor  the  hour,  wherein  the 
Son  of  Man  cometh." 

Rev.  Nicholas  N.  Ridgley  was,  in  the  spring  of  1844, 


IN  THE   ITINERANCY.  165 

Rev.  Nicholafi  N.  Ridgley. 

stationed  in  this  place.  I  tvouIcI  not  for  a  moment 
undervalue  other  brethren  "who  have  laboured  in  this  field. 
From  what  I  know,  however,  I  feel  compelled  to  say, 
that  none  of  us,  before  or  since  his  day,  have  here 
exerted  a  more  wholesome  influence  in  favour  of  Me- 
thodism, and  it  would,  in  my  estimation,  have  been  very 
judicious  for  him  to  have  remained  another  year.  He 
was  always  exceedingly  moral.  He  was  blessed  with  a 
pious  mother,  a  member  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church.  She  instructed  him  in  the  great  truths  and 
principles  of  the  gospel.  So  earnestly  and  so  early  did 
she  attend  to  this  that  he  says,  in  his  Journal:  "  I  can- 
not recollect  the  period  in  my  life  at  which  I  had  not  as 
clear  a  conception  of  the  utter  corruption  of  my  heart 
— my  absolute  dependence  on  the  atonement  of  Christ 
even  for  natural  life,  and  much  more  for  salvation,  and 
of  the  exposure  of  all  men  to  the  wrath  of  a  justly 
offended  God,  and  indeed  of  all  the  essential  features 
of  the  gospel,  as  I  have  since  had ;  though,  of  course, 
these  truths  were  not  as  much  realized  in  my  experience 
as  they  were  when  I  was  converted."  This  event  took 
place  in  1839,  and,  in  the  fall  of  that  year,  he  felt  that 
it  was  requisite  to  his  happiness  that  he  should  be  united 
to  the  Church.  The  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  was 
the  communion  of  his  family.  But  he  felt,  if  he  joined 
it,  he  would  have  no  privileges,  for  there  was  no  regular 
ministry  within  many  miles  of  Dover,  where  he  resided. 


166        THIRTEEN  YEARS*  EXPERIENCE 

His  love  for  class  meetings. 

Having  for  some  time  previously  been  connected  with 
the  Sunday  School  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
as  a  teacher,  he  was  led,  in  a  great  measure,  through 
that  instrumentality  to  seek  the  kingdom  of  God,  While 
teaching  others  he  felt  the  force  of  the  passage,  "  Phy- 
sician, heal  thyself."  He  attended  several  class  meet- 
ings, from  which  he  derived  much  benefit.  The  Metho- 
dists, he  says,  "  took  me  by  the  hand  and  led  me  on. 
So  on  the  8th  of  October,  1839, 1  joined  this  Church." 
He  was  one  of  her  brightest  ornaments,  without  re- 
proach and  above  suspicion.  In  this  Church  he  lived, 
and  in  her  died  happy  in  God.  In  relation  to  the  bene- 
fits of  class  meetings,  so  much  dreaded  by  some,  he 
says  :  "I  verily  believe  I  should  have  returned  to  the 
world  an  open  apostate  in  one  year,  but  for  their  influ- 
ence." His  love  for  class  meetings  never  abated  after 
he  became  a  travelling  minister  in  the  Philadelphia  Con- 
ference of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  in  the 
Bpring  of  1842.  He  was  inclined  towards  the  minis- 
try of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  not  that  he 
believed  that  Church  any  more  apostolic,  but  it  was 
the  Church  of  his  family,  and  he  thought  his  father 
would  more  readily  consent  to  his  becoming  a  minis- 
ter in  this  Church.  But  in  this  respect  he  was  most 
agreeably  disappointed,  for  he  was  rather  more  favour- 
ably inclined  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
asking  his  son,  "Why  he  thought  of  the  Pro- 
testant Episcopal   Church   rather  than   the  Methodist 


IN  THE  ITINERANCY.  167 

Why  he  became  an  Itinerant. 

Episcopal  Church  ?"  From  what  I  have  heard  my 
friend  say,  and  from  his  Journal,  I  should  conclude  his 
most  prominent  reason  was,  he  thought  his  sight,  -which 
was  defective,  would  not  allow  him  to  do  the  work  of  an 
Itinerant.  His  interviews  with  Bishop  Onderdonk  and 
Rev.  Mr.  Presstman,  ''  were  not  satisfactory,  there  was 
too  much  exclusiveness  in  their  views."  He  sought 
advice,  prayed  and  thought  much  on  the  subject,  until 
the  spring  of  1842,  when  he  felt  it  was  according  to 
God's  holy  will  that  he  should  join  the  Itinerancy,  which 
he  did,  and  was  appointed  to  the  Caroline  Circuit,  on 
the  Eastern  Shore  of  Maryland.  Here  he  remained  two 
years  with  Rev.  John  Bayne.  They  were  happy  and 
very  successful  years.  Very  many  were  added  to  the 
Church,  and,  although  his  sight  was  poor,  he  did  all  the 
work  faithfully  of  a  Methodist  preacher ;  and  I  suppose 
Caroline  Circuit  will  ever  consider  that  they 

"Ne'er  will  see  his  like  again." 

From  that  point  he  came  to  New  Castle,  then  went  to 
Haddington,  then  to  Phoenixville,  then  to  Twelfth  street 
Station,  Philadelphia.  This  was  the  last  charge  he 
filled.  Here  his  health  so  gave  way  that  it  was  neces- 
sary for  him  to  leave  the  effective  ranks.  He  fixed  his 
residence  thereafter  in  the  city  of  Wilmington,  where, 
December  1st,  1849,  he  triumphantly  shouted  victory 
over  death.     His  life  had  been  so  blameless,  we  expected 


168  THIRTEEN   years'    EXPERIENCE 

A  remarkable  parlour  meeting. 

in  his  death  that  the  king  of  terrors  would  be  swallowed 
up  in  victory,  and  our  expectations  were  more  than  met. 
I  was  with  him  in  his  last  illness.  Never  shall  I  forget 
his  sweet  language.  While  he  thanked  God  for  all 
blessings,  he  seemed  to  be  particularly  thankful  that  he 
had  been  favoured  with  a  pious  mother.  He  said,  "  I 
shall  soon  be  with  her,  my  mother,  that  first  taught  me 
to  pray."  Readers,  if  you  have  pious  mothers,  you  are 
highly  favoured. 

I  was  intimately  associated  with  him  in  the  work  of 
the  Itinerancy,  while  he  was  on  his  first  Circuit.  I 
shall  never  forget  a  day  we  spent  together  in  the  month 
of  August,  1842.  The  camp  meeting  for  Denton  Cir- 
cuit closed  on  the  day  I  allude  to.  Many  were  con- 
verted— among  the  rest  our  friend  Miss  Marietta  T., 
most  powerfully.  She  resided  with  some  dear  relatives 
of  hers,  in  the  neighbourhood.  We  accompanied  them 
home.  Miss  T.  was  remarkably  happy,  she  praised 
God  aloud,  and  shouted  all  over  the  yard  and  through 
the  house.  Her  friends  were  not  religious,  but  by  no 
means  unfriendly.  A  deep  impression  was  made  on 
their  hearts  by  the  conversion  and  happy  frame  of  mind 
of  their  relative.  After  dinner,  we  went  to  prayer,  and, 
in  their  parlour,  my  friend  Brother  Ridgley  led  the  de- 
votions, and  the  power  of  God  was  felt  by  all  present 
without  an  exception,  and  those  who  were  not  rejoicing, 
"  leaping  and  praising  God,"  were  crying  for  mercy. 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  169 

Brother  Ridgley  at  camp  meeting. 

At  least  three  of  the  family  were  on  their  knees  ear- 
nestly praying.  The  whole  afternoon  was  spent  in  this 
delightful  work.  Late  in  the  afternoon,  the  devoted 
cousin  of  our  happy  sister  was  most  sweetly  converted. 
This  gave  new  life  to  our  friend  Miss  T.,  and  there  was 
great  joy  in  that  family.  All  was  love,  and  the  mistress 
of  the  house  being  converted,  the  servants  were  glad, 
and  she  did  not  feel  it  at  all  out  of  place  to  throw  her 
arms  of  affection  around  those  whom  she  met.  Brother 
Kidgley,  speaking  of  this  day  in  his  Journal,  remarks 
simply  :  "  Yery  happy  day."  A  year  after  I  was  with 
him  at  a  camp  meeting  on  his  Circuit.  In  consequence 
of  affliction  in  the  family  of  his  colleague,  Rev.  J. 
Bayne,  the  management  of  the  camp  devolved  upon  him. 
I  never  saw  a  meeting  more  judiciously  managed,  and, 
considering  its  size,  I  rarely  ever  saw  a  meeting  that 
was  productive  of  more  good  than  was  the  one  held  by 
my  friend  R.  in  Tilghman's  Woods.  "  He  had  an  old 
man's  head  on  a  young  man's  shoulders."  Had  he  lived, 
and  could  he  have  enjoyed  health,  he  had  talent  and 
piety  sufficient  to  lead  us  to  conclude  that  the  day  would 
come  when  he  would  fill  any  Church,  or  office  in  the 
Church,  with  dignity.  The  Church  would  have  delighted 
to  honour  him,  and,  from  my  knowledge  of  that  worthy 
brother,  I  verily  believe  he  never  would  have  betrayed 
any  trust  committed  to  his  care.  But  just  as  the  Church 
began  to  see  he  was  no  ordinary  man,  God  in  his  provi- 
15 


170  THIRTEEN    YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

Utility  of  Sunday  Schools. 

dence  called  liim  from  labour  to  reward.  The  Church 
was  thus,  to  human  view,  prematurely  deprived  of  a 
pure-minded,  talented,  influential  minister  of  the  gospel. 
None  felt  his  loss  so  keenly  as  his  partner  in  life,  with 
her  little  ones.  But  "  a  father  of  the  fatherless,  and  a 
judge  of  the  widows,  is  God  in  his  holy  habitation." 

In  the  foregoing  remarks  relative  to  Rev.  N.  Ridgley, 
we  see  another  evidence  of  the  utility  of  the  Sunday 
School  cause.  This  young  student  of  law  was  mysteri- 
ously led  to  the  little  Sunday  School  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  in  the  town  where  he  resided,  and, 
although  the  piety  of  his  mother  did  much  in  leading 
him  to  a  profession  of  religion,  perhaps  no  circumstance 
did  as  much  in  bringing  this  young  man  into  the  enjoy- 
ment of  religion  as  the  influences  did  which  were  brought 
to  bear  upon  him  in  the  Sunday  School,  and  he  loved 
this  cause  to  the  end.  I  would  not  detract  from  our 
ministers,  who  were  not  brought  into  the  Church  through 
this  agency ;  still  I  will  venture  to  assert  that  many  of 
our  most  enterprising,  useful  labourers  in  the  ministry, 
are  those  who  have  grown  up  with  this  institution.  It 
is  dear  to  their  hearts ;  it  affords  them  great  pleasure  to 
commingle  with  the  schools  of  their  station,  or  Circuit. 
They  do  not  consider  it  "a  cause  of  small  import,"  but 
feel,  however  talented  they  may  be,  there  is  room  for 
that  talent  to  be  ext.'cised.  If  a  minister  is  ardently 
attached  to,  and  faithfully  labours  in  this  cause,  it  is  to 


IN   THE   ITINERAInCY.  171 


Ministers  should  care  for  children. 


be  expected  tliat  he  will  be  ready  for  every  good  word 
and  work ;  and,  if  be  feels  no  interest  in  this  direction, 
and  considers  tbis  a  matter  of  minor  importance,  it  is 
apt  to  be  the  case  tbat  be  is  inefficient  everywhere. 
^'  These  my  words  ye  shall  teach  them  your  children." 
"  But  those  things  which  are  revealed  belong  unto  us, 
and  our  children  for  ever."  God  reiterated  this  matter 
of  caring  for  the  children  to  his  ancient  people.  "  And  I 
will  make  them  hear  my  words,  that  they  may  learn  to 
fear  me  all  the  days  that  they  shall  live  upon  the  earth, 
and  that  they  may  teach  their  children."  Our  Disci- 
pline makes  it  obligatory  upon  us  as  ministers  to  instruct 
the  little  ones :  "  Catechize  the  children  in  the  Sunday 
School,  and  at  special  meetings  appointed  for  that  pur- 
pose." In  our  ordination  vows,  we  covenant  to  labour 
in  this  important  department.  And,  so  far  as  my  know- 
ledge extends,  what  is  thus  made  our  duty  by  God's 
Word,  and  the  Discipline  of  our  Church,  is  performed 
with  great  pleasure  by  our  ministers  generally.  ^'  Take 
heed  that  ye  despise  not  one  of  these  little  ones ;  for  I 
say  unto  you,  that  in  Heaven  their  angels  do  always  be- 
hold the  face  of  my  Father  which  is  in  Heaven."  Christ 
set  a  high  value  upon  children.  It  cannot  be  beneath 
our  dignity  as  ministers,  if  Jesus  and  the  angels  take 
such  an  interest  in  them.  The  latter,  I  verily  believe, 
hover  round  the  well-conducted  Sunday  School,  and  as 


172  THIRTEEN  tears'   EXPERIENCE 

The  third  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  Wilmington,  Del. 

one  has  said,  viz.  Summcrfiekl,  its  "  hum  is  music  in  an 
angel's  ear — there  thej  are,  in  numbers." 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

Sent  to  Union  Churcli,  Wilmington,  Delaware — Rev.  Edward  Kennard 
— A  good  Site  for  the  new  Churcli — Corner-stone  laid  with  Masonic 
Ceremonies — Shepherd  smitten,  and  Sheep  scattered — Females  effi- 
cient in  the  Work — No  Society  to  begin  with — Interesting  public 
Meeting  to  revive  this  Church — Places  opened  in  various  parts  of 
the  City  for  purposes  of  Salvation — Church  and  Theatre  together — 
The  Press — Rev.  Levi  Storks — Shouting  out  a  Subscription — An 
Apology,  and  its  Effects — "Give,  and  it  shall  be  given  to  you 
again" — Agree  to  raise  Funds  from  home  to  finish  the  Basement — 
Leave  of  the  Odd  Fellows'  Hall — Dedication  and  Conversion — The 
main  part  of  the  Church  opened. 

IN  the  spring  of  1850  I  was  sent  to  Wilmington,  to  do 
the  best  I  could  to  complete  the  third  regular  Me- 
thodist Episcopal  Church,  which  the  preceding  year  had 
been  commenced,  under  the  pastoral  care  of  Rev.  Henry 
S.  Atmore.  When  he  went  on  in  1849,  he  found  a  con- 
siderable society,  which  was  to  be  the  nucleus  for  the 
third  church,  mainly  gathered  together  through  the  in- 
defatigable labours  of  Rev.  Edward  Kennard,  who  had, 
with  the  view  purely  of  extending  Methodism,  purchased 
the  church  of  the  Protestant  Methodists,  in  Orange  Street. 
This  plant  does  not  seem  to  have  grown  in  that  soil. 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY,  173 

Rev.  Edward  Keanard. 

In  this  house  Brother  Kennard,  being  thus  instructed 
bj  E-ev.  Daniel  Lambdin,  Presiding  Elder  of  the  Wil- 
mington District,  faithfully  preached  the  Word,  and  Tras 
in  this,  as  he  had  been  in  many  other  places,  instru- 
mental  in  the  salvation  of  souls.  The  vigour  of  this 
brother's  days  was  spent  in  the  work  of  the  Itinerancy. 
He  had  been  some  years,  before  he  asked  a  location,  a 
supernumerary  in  the  Philadelphia  Conference,  and  in 
this  sphere  did  much  good,  labouring  as  much  as  his 
strength  would  allow.  Under  very  powerful  temptation, 
in  the  spring  of  1850,  at  the  Conference  held  in  Smyrna, 
Delaware,  he  asked  for  and  obtained  a  location.  I  did 
think  at  the  time  the  Conference  should  have  held  on  to 
this  brother,  and  shown  their  appreciation  of  him,  by 
not  granting  his  request.  This,  I  am  sure,  in  the  end 
would  have  been  very  conciliatory  both  to  him  and  to 
his  friends.  At  the  time  of  his  location  the  Conference 
acted,  I  am  sure,  for  the  best,  and  thought  they  were 
conferring  a  favour.  But  deliberative  bodies  as  well  as 
individuals  may  err ;  but  such  was  the  kind  feeling  to- 
wards this  brother,  at  the  ensuing  session,  had  proper 
steps  been  taken,  he  would,  I  have  no  doubt,  have  been 
reinstated. 

The  society  in  Orange  Street,  with  Rev.  Henry  S. 
Atmore  as  their  leader,  determined  to  abandon  that  loca- 
tion, and  fixed  upon  a  very  suitable  lot,  I  think,  in 
Second  Street,  near  Washington.     It  was  remote  from 
15* 


174  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

Corner-stone  laid  with  Masonic  ceremonies. 

any  cliurcli,  with  a  very  considerable  population,  and 
greatly  increasing.  How  we  fail,  frequently,  in  sites  for 
our  churches  !  In  this  respect  we  should  do  well  to  take 
knowledge  of  the  Roman  Catholics.  The  building  of 
the  church  was  contracted  for,  and  the  work  commenced 
early  in  the  Conference  year.  The  corner-stone  was 
laid  with  Masonic  ceremonies.  This  was  to  the  people 
generally  a  new  thing  under  the  sun,  and  it  was  not,  of 
course,  acceptable  to  all.  And  I  know,  as  well  as  and 
other  person,  it  is  hard  work  to  please  everybody,  and  I 
know  the  respectability  of  this  ancient  order,  and  that 
many  of  the  greatest  and  best  men  of  our  nation  are 
associated  with  it,  and  I  am  the  last  man  to  oppose  any- 
thing that  is  good ;  still  I  think  this  arrangement  had  not 
a  wholesome  effect  on  that  church  ;  and  this,  among 
other  things,  led  to  a  failure,  and  created  a  prejudice 
that  was  very  hard  to  overcome.  One  of  this  order  in 
that  city,  and  second  to  no  man  there,  either  in  Church 
or  State,  for  noble  deeds,  said  to  me,  "  With  this  move- 
ment I  was  greatly  displeased.  I  went  to  the  corner- 
stone laying  to  give,  but  when  I  saw  the  state  of  things, 
I  went  away  with  my  money  in  my  pocket."  On  such 
occasions,  the  more  simple  and  spiritual  the  better.  Let 
me  quote  Paul,  who  said  once,  ^'Wherefore,  if  meat 
make  my  brother  to  offend,  I  will  eat  no  flesh  while  the 
world  standeth,  lest  I  make  my  brother  to  offend."  So, 
readers,  when  we  may  have  such  a  matter  in  hand  (how- 


IX   THE    ITIXERAXCY.  175 

Co-operation  of  Christian  females  important. 

ever  excellent  this  order  may  be,  and  I  have  seen  in- 
stances of  great  generosity  connected  therewith),  let  u? 
adhere  to  the  old-fashioned  Avay,  and  not  transfer  these 
matters  into  other  hands,  "lest  I  make  my  brother  to 
offend." 

In  the  autumn  of  the  year,  the  brick  work  having 
been  finished,  the  work  ceased,  owing  to  the  want  of 
funds.  The  minister  was  much  discouraged.  At  his 
request  he  was  removed.  The  little  flock  were  without 
a  shepherd.  The  classes  met  in  private  houses,  and  for 
awhile  kept  their  prayer  meetings  moving,  but  having 
no  head,  they  dwindled.  "Smite  the  shepherd,  and  the 
sheep  shall  be  scattered." 

I  should  fail  to  do  justice  to  this  account,  if  I  omit- 
ted to  state  that  there  were  a  few  Christian  ladies  who, 
seeing  the  church  roofless,  and  believing  that  the  walls 
would  by  the  storms  of  winter  be  ruined  in  their  ex- 
posed condition,  vigorously  went  to  work,  and  secured  a 
sufficiency  of  funds  to  roof  the  house.  This  was  a  good 
work,  and  frequently,  when  we  fail,  if  we  would  call  in 
the  co-operation  of  Christian  females,  they  would  accom- 
plish what  we  cannot.  Their  influence,  brought  to  bear 
upon  the  Christian  enterprises  of  the  day,  is  almost  om- 
nipotent. 

I  would  not  be  understood  to  advocate  tvomen^s 
rigJifs,  as  some  in  modern  times  do.  But  I  am  firmly 
fixed  in  the  opinion  that  pious  women  have  in  them  the 


176  THIRTEEN    YEAlls'    EXPERIENCE 

Discouraging  condition  of  Union  Church,  Wilmington. 

elements  for  great  usefulness  in  tlie  Christian  Church, 
and  I  think,  in  an  appropriate  way,  they  ought  to  be 
encouraged  to  improve  their  talents.  We  find  they  were 
inclined,  when  the  disciples  fled,  to  linger  around  the 
cross :  "  And  many  women  were  there  which  followed 
Jesus  from  Galilee,  ministering  unto  him."  And  we 
find  also  they  were  first  at  the  sepulchre,  "  with  spices 
and  ointments."  And  they  were  the  first  human  beings 
to  publish  the  glorious  doctrine  of  the  resurrection  of 
Christ.  We  should  feel  like  bidding  our  sisters  God- 
speed, from  the  conviction  that  their  piety  is  of  a 
deep-toned  character.  We  come  to  this  conclusion  from 
the  information  we  have  of  them  in  the  Scriptures,  and 
from  their  valorous  conduct  in  more  recent  times,  in 
sufi'ering  and  dying  cheerfully  as  martyrs  for  the  truth. 
They  can  greatly  aid  us  in  carrying  out  the  spirit  of 
the  prophet's  advice  to  the  Church:  "Enlarge  the 
place  of  thy  tent,  and  let  them  stretch  forth  the  curtain 
of  thy  habitations ;  spare  not,  lengthen  thy  cords,  and 
strengthen  thy  stakes." 

When  I  reached  my  appointment  in  person,  and  en- 
tered upon  the  work,  I  found  a  most  unhealthy  state  of 
things  to  exist.  On  the  church,  in  its  unfinished  state, 
there  was  an  indebtedness  of  tiventy-six  hundred  dollar s, 
and  confidence  was  forfeited.  In  fact,  it  was  regarded 
in  the  light  of  a  swindling  concern  by  some  of  those  who 
had  claims. 


IN  THE   ITINERANCY.  177 

Origin  of  Methodism  in  Wilmington. 

I  found  there  was  no  place  to  preach  in,  for  the 
church  was  nothing  but  a  hull,  of  course  not  ready  for 
occupancy.  And  this  was  not  all,  for  there  was  not  a 
memher  in  society  !  The  society  which  had  existed  was 
disbanded ;  some  had  joined  with  other  churches,  some 
had  backslidden.  My  heart  was  considerably  discour- 
aged. Popular  opinion  was  unfavourable  to  the  idea 
that  the  enterprise  could,  under  the  circumstances,  be 
resuscitated,  and  succeed.  We  were  all  ready  to  ask 
the  question,  "  Can  these  bones  live  ?"  for  we  plainly 
saw  "they  were  very  dry."  I  was  sent  to  this  dis- 
couraging field,  and  commanded  to  "  prophesy  upon 
these  bones,  and  say  unto  them,  0,  ye  dry  bones,  hear 
the  Word  of  the  Lord  !" 

When  Methodism  first  began  to  operate  in  this  city, 
it  was  very  small.  The  building,  used  as  a  preaching 
place,  at  the  corner  of  King  and  Third  Streeits,  was  a 
one-story  small  brick  house,  perhaps  twenty  by  forty 
feet,  which  to  this  day  stands  in  the  same  location.  In 
this  city,  as  early  as  1775,  the  great  pioneer  of  Method- 
ism on  this  continent,  Rev.  Francis  Asbury,  preached 
the  everlasting  gospel.  The  first  regular  church  was 
built  here  in  1789,  and  bears  the  name  of  that  excellent 
man,  "  Asbury,"  who  perilled  his  life  for  the  sake  of 
those  who  "sat  in  the  region  and  shadow  of  death." 
The  original  Methodist  church  had  been  from  time  to 
time  enlarged,  until  it  had  become  a  very  spacious  edi- 


178        THIRTEEN  YEARS'  EXPERIENCE 

St.  Paul's  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Odd  Fellows'  Hall. 

fice,  with  one  of  the  largest  memberships  and  congrega- 
tions in  our  connexion.  From  this  church  there  had 
emanated  the  nucleus  of  the  St.  Paul's  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church,  in  Market  Street,  which  was  built  during 
the  pastorship  of  Rev.  J.  Kennaday,  D.D.,  a  man  of 
indomitable  zeal  in  the  praiseworthy,  glorious  cause  of 
church  extension.  This  edifice,  which  is  an  ornament  to 
the  city,  and  a  credit  to  our  society,  and  wields  a  whole- 
some influence,  was  much  needed,  but  was  not  carried 
to  perfection  till  1846. 

As  has  been  already  stated,  the  appointment  was  dis- 
couraging, yet  I  came  to  the  conclusion  what  had  been 
done  could  be  done  again.  And  as  other  churches 
through  difficulties  had  been  carried  triumphantly 
through,  I  resolved  "  we  will  rejoice  in  this  salvation, 
and  in  the  name  of  our  God  we  will  set  up  our  ban- 
ners." I  entered  into  a  contract  with  the  managers  of 
the  Odd  Fellows'  Hall,  endorsed  by  my  friend,  Edward 
Moore,  Esq.,  and  we  were  permitted  to  occupy  this  beau- 
tiful and  large  saloon  each  Sabbath,  for  five  dollars  a  day. 
It  was  a  delightful  place,  seated  with  settees,  and  at 
night  illuminated  splendidly.  In  this  place  we  formed 
our  society.  The  first  Sunday  we  had  twelve  to  say, 
"  Thy  people  shall  be  my  people,  and  thy  God  my  God." 

Our  congregations  were  full,  and  the  basket  collec- 
tions ample  to  pay  the  expenses.  And  Sabbath  after 
Sabbath  our  membership  increased  gradually,  which  was 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  179 

The  light  breaking. 

well  calculated  to  cheer  our  hearts.  In  order  to  pro- 
duce a  more  general  interest,  a  meeting  was  called,  very 
early  in  the  Conference  year,  in  the  St.  Paul's  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  which  meeting  was  attended  by  all 
the  ministers  of  our  denomination  in  Wilmington.  Th^ 
venerable  Bishop  Waugh  made  his  arrangements  to  at- 
tend  this  meeting.  He  delivered  an  appropriate  and 
soul-stirring  address,  which  was  like  "  apples  of  gold  in 
pictures  of  silver." 

This  meeting  did  great  good  to  the  enterprise ;  the 
good  bishop's  fears,  and  the  fears  of  all  the  community 
fled  like  chaff  before  the  wind. 

With  renewed  energy  we  proceeded  in  the  task 
assigned  us.  I  was  well  convinced,  however,  in  order  to 
succeed  we  must  be  active,  "not  slothful  in  business; 
fervent  in  spirit ;  serving  the  Lord."  We  felt  it  was 
expedient  to  have  more  than  one  rallying  point.  It  is 
true,  our  head  quarters  were  at  the  Odd  Fellows'  Hall. 
.This  was  our  only  place  of  worship  on  Sundays.  Here 
the  gospel  was  proclaimed — here  we  organized  the  Sun- 
day School,  which  was  truly  interesting,  and  promised 
much  to  our  infant  Church ;  but,  in  different  parts  of 
the  city,  we  had  private  dwellings  and  school-houses 
opened  for  singing,  prayer,  exhortation,  and  class  meet- 
ing purposes.  In  addition  to  these,  we  had  granted  us 
free  of  expense,  by  the  kind-hearted  St.  Paul's  trustees, 
which  was  endorsed  by  their  entire  Chui'ch,  the  use  of 


180  TniRTEEN   years'    EXPERIENCE 

Confidonco  restored. 

their  lecture  room  two  evenings  each  week,  so  long  as 
our  circumstances  required  it.  I  only  do  justice  when 
I  say  that  no  one  did  our  cause  more  efficient  ser- 
vice than  their  truly  energetic  pastor,  Rev.  Pennell 
Coomb e.  Our  different  places  during  the  week  evenings 
were  filled  to  their  utmost  capacity,  and,  in  our  prayer 
meetings,  our  leading  theme  was,  "  0  Lord,  I  have 
heard  thy  speech  and  was  afraid ;  0  Lord,  revive  thy 
work  in  the  midst  of  the  years,  in  the  midst  of  the  years 
make  known;  in  wrath  remember  mercy."  The  cry, 
"  Come  over  into  Macedonia  and  help  us,"  was  heeded, 
and  soldier  after  soldier  joined  our  division  of  the  army, 
and  rallied  under  our  ensign,  until  the  enemy  had  to 
reluctantly  beat  a  retreat,  and  exclaim  in  utter  dismay, 
"  Who  is  she  that  looketh  forth  as  the  morning,  fair  as 
the  moon,  clear  as  the  sun,  and  terrible  as  an  army 
with  banners." 

In  the  month  of  May,  of  our  first  year,  1850,  our 
newly  elected  board  of  trustees  generously  took  upon 
themselves  the  preceding  indebtedness  of  the  property. 
In  the  business  community,  confidence  w?s  restored,  and 
in  a  short  time  thereafter,  a  bargain  was  made  for  the 
completion  of  the  church,  of  which  it  might  truly  have 
been  said,  "  Behold,  your  house  is  left  unto  you  desolate." 

But,  as  has  been  before  intimated,  the  Odd  Fellows' 
Hall  was  our  church  until  we  could  occupy  the  new  reg- 
ular Union  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.     We  only  had 


IN  THE   ITINERANCY.  181 

Theatres  nurseries  of  vice. 

the  use  of  this  building  on  the  Sabbath,  and  it  was 
occupied  for  other  very  different  purposes  during  the 
week,  as  my  readers  will  readily  see  when  I  inform  them 
that  there  was  a  theatre  carried  on  in  this  same  room 
during  the  week.  While  I  cannot  convey  in  words  an 
adequate  idea  of  the  injury  that  theatres  do,  in  my  judg- 
ment, to  society,  there  are  those  in  every  community  who 
are  ready  to  patronize  and  encourage  them  greatly  in  pre- 
ference to  a  place  "where  prayer  is  wont  to  be  made." 
These  nurseries  of  vice,  which  have  led  many  of  both 
sexes  to  ruin,  are  very  adroitly  managed  in  modern 
times.  We  find  religious  things  dramatized.  Thus  the 
managers  of  those  infamous  places  emphatically  "  steal 
the  livery  of  Heaven  to  serve  the  devil  in."  And  the 
passage  is  fulfilled,  "  For  Satan  himself  is  transformed 
into  an  angel  of  light."  Dear  Christian  reader,  what- 
ever may  be  played,  however  sacred  the  subject,  say 
firmly,  "  0  my  soul,  come  thou  not  into  their  secret : 
unto  their  assembly,  mine  honour,  be  not  thou  united." 
The  pulpit  here  was,  and  in  every  place  ought  to  be, 
arrayed  against  this  evil.  And  be  it  spoken  to  the  credit 
of  the  city  of  Wilmington,  there  is  so  little  interest  mani- 
fested by  the  people  in  theatrical  performances,  that 
there  is  not  a  building  here  (and  I  pray  God  there 
never  may  be),  appropriated  exclusively  to  such  amuse- 
ments and  diversions.  And  the  temporary  one,  that 
was  contemporary  with  us  there,  after  awhile  "  departed 
16 


182  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

The  press  in  Wilmington. 

out  of  our  coast."  Thus  in  this  place,  in  this  particular 
at  least,  virtue  triumphed  over  vice,  God  and  Chris- 
tianity over  the  devil  and  infidelity. 

The  Lord  deigned  to  meet  his  people,  and  for  some 
five  or  six  months  we  remained  in  this  large  fine  hall, 
where  we  preached,  prayed,  sung,  shouted,  and  had  the 
sacraments  administered.  And  last,  though  not  least, 
souls  in  this  place  were  converted  from  the  error  of  their 
ways.  Persons  passing  would  often  make  sarcastic 
remarks  ;  and  now  and  then,  a  newspaper  would  indulge 
in  a  little  pleasantry  at  our  expense.  We  did  not  think 
any  the  less  of  them  for  that ;  for  on  a  certain  article  of 
this  description  we  levied  a  tax,  and,  when  we  would 
make  an  appeal  to  a  congregation,  this  piece,  which  I 
had  cut  from  the  paper  and  put  in  my  collecting  book,  I 
used  as  a  text.  It  brought  us  many  a  dollar.  It 
related  to  the  amalgamation  of  light  and  darkness. 
And  this  church  operation  and  theatrical  performances, 
blended  in  the  same  building,  reminded  the  editor  of 
some  verses  composed  upon  a  place  of  worship  on  the 
second  floor,  with  a  tavern  below.  Had  I  the  verses,  I 
would  give  them  to  my  readers.  I  am  happy  to  say,  as 
a  general  thing,  the  Wilmington  papers  paid  great 
respect  to  religion  and  sound  morals.  And  the  press 
in  no  place  in  the  land  could  be  more  generous  than 
there,  in  supplying  the  different  clergymen  with  their 


IN    THE   ITINERANCY.  183 

Rev.  Levi  Storks. 

issues,  free  of  charge.     The  press,  properly  managed,  is 
an  engine  of  much  good. 

In  the  spring  of  1850,  Rev.  Levi  Storks's  health 
failed  him  so  much  that  it  was  deemed  proper  for 
him  to  ask  for  a  supernumerary  relation.  He  deter- 
mined to  live  in  the  city  of  Wilmington,  and,  by  his  own 
request,  he  was  appointed  in  this  relation  by  Bishop 
Waugh,  to  Union  Church.  In  the  providence  of  God, 
his  health,  early  in  the  Conference  year,  recruited, 
greatly  to  his  surprise  and  joy,  and  he  did  much  in 
building  up  this  charge.  We  found  him  always  ready  to 
co-operate  with  us  in  every  department  of  the  work. 
This  dear  servant  of  God  was  more  than  ordinarily  pious. 
He  enjoyed  the  great  blessing  of  sanctification,  he  pro- 
fessed it  openly,  and  lived  it  daily,  and  this,  with  other 
things,  made  him  an  eminently  useful  man.  He  was  a 
plain  but  excellent  preacher.  He  was  also  one  of  the 
few  who,  to  the  last,  held  on  to  the  primitive  Methodistic 
style  of  dress.  Although  he  was  made  effective  in  1851 
again,  he  did  not  live  long  to  labour  in  his  Master's 
vineyard.  While  on  North  East  Circuit,  October  1st, 
1853,  he  finished  his  earthly  career,  after  an  illness  of 
five  days.  The  Sabbath  before  his  death  he  preached 
powerfully  three  times ;  he  ran  to  the  end  of  the  race, 
and  won  his  crown.  Among  his  last  expressions,  the 
following  fell  from  his  lips  :  "  Perhaps  after  a  little  I 
shall  not  be  able  to  speak ;   tell  all  who  inquire,  it  is  well 


184  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

Rod  Lion  camp  mooting. 

with  me."  I  knew  Brother  Storks  from  my  boyhood. 
Few  walked  more  closely  with  God  than  he.  Those  dear 
ones  he  has  left  behind,  may  safely  feel  their  loss  is  his 
gain.- 

In  my  zeal  for  the  success  of  this  work,  I  subscribed 
the  sum  of  five  hundred  dollars.  I  told  the  trustees  I 
would  pay  every  cent  of  it,  but,  in  order  that  I  might, 
they  must  release  me  a  few  weeks  during  the  camp  meet- 
ing season.  I  left  all  matters  at  home  in  care  of 
Brother  Storks,  and  laboured  joyfully  among  my  bre- 
thren, and,  wherever  I  asked  for  aid  financially,  I 
obtained  a  noble  response. 

The  first  effort  of  this  sort  was  made  at  the  Red  Lion 
camp  meeting,  in  New  Castle  county,  Delaware.  It  was 
the  last  day  of  the  meeting.  Much  begging  had  been 
done,  and  the  prospect  for  us  did  not  appear  very  flatter- 
ing. But  the  Lord  that  day  helped  me  to  present  the 
subject  in  such  a  light  as  to  command  respect,  and  so 
baptized  the  audience  with  the  spirit,  that  they  did  give 
and  shout,  and  shout  and  give.  Surrounding  circum- 
stances led  me  to  say.  If  any  one  gives  a  dollar,  he  or  she 
shall  be  fully  authorized  to  come  to  the  new  church  and 
shout  it  out.  Whereupon,  one  dear  brother  readily 
agreed  to  this,  paid  the  money  in  advance,  with  this 
express  understanding,  and  kept  in  mind  the  covenant ; 
and,  during  our  protracted  meeting,  the  following  winter 
at   the   new   church,   we  were   a   little    surprised   and 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  185 

Shouting  it  out. 

delighted,  one  Sabbath  morning,  to  see  him  in  the  con- 
gregation. He  spent  "the  day  and  shared  the  night" 
in  our  midst,  and  it  appeared  to  us  that  he,  like  Paul, 
was  so  happy  he  could  hardly  tell  whether  he  was  "  in 
the  body  or  out  of  the  body."  He  was  successful  in 
labours  at  the  altar,  and  four  or  five  precious  souls, 
through  his  instrumentality,  were  enabled  to  rejoice  in  a 
sin-pardoning  God.  Over  such  an  achievement  we  could 
not  blame  him  for  shouting.  And  throughout  the  day, 
he  did  it  manfully  ;  and  I  am  inclined  to  think  he  felt 
the  truth  of  the  Psalmist's  words,  "  For  a  day  in  thy 
courts  is  better  than  a  thousand ;  I  had  rather  be  a  door- 
keeper in  the  house  of  my  God,  than  to  dwell  in  the 
tents  of  wickedness." 

After  the  close  of  the  meeting  at  night,  he  started 
for  his  home,  which  was  a  distance  of  at  least  twenty-five 
miles,  ready,  I  doubt  not,  to  give  again  towards  build- 
ing a  house  for  the  worship  of  God,  especially  with  the 
understanding  that  he  could  have  the  privilege  of 
shouting  it  out. 

Our  financial  effort  at  Eed  Lion  resulted  very 
favourably  to  our  cause.  At  least  two  hundred  dollars 
was  found  to  be  in  the  collection.  I  venture  to  say  that 
the  spirituality  of  the  meeting  was  not  interfered  with 
in  the  least.  Both  ministers  and  members  seemed 
highly  gratified  with  this  effort.  "And  his  banner  over" 
us  "was  love." 
16* 


186  TIIIRTEEX   years'    EXPERIENCE 

An  apology  demanded. 

I  attended  a  series  of  camp  meetings  as  I  have  before 
intimated.  An  account  of  one  other  at  least  will  be 
given.  I  reached  the  meeting  on  a  Saturday.  It  was 
to  close  on  the  following  Monday.  My  aim  was  to  leave 
on  Saturday  night  at  the  latest,  to  be  present  at  another 
meeting,  thirty  or  forty  miles  distant,  on  the  Sabbath. 
But  a  heavy  storm  prevented  me  from  prosecuting  my 
design,  and  consequently  I  had  to  remain  over  Sunday. 
Thinking  I  should  leave  Saturday  evening,  and  anxious  to 
do  a  little  for  our  cause,  after  the  preaching  was  over  in 
the  forenoon,  and  with  the  permission  of  the  preacher  in 
charge,  I  stated  the  case  to  an  attentive  audience.  And, 
be  it  spoken  to  their  credit,  quite  a  number  walked  up  to 
the  stand,  and  contributed  at  least  forty  or  fifty  dollars. 
I  supposed  all  was  right,  but  was  officially  informed  that 
I  had  placed  the  managers  of  the  camp  in  a  most  awk- 
ward and  very  unpleasant  situation,  for  they  had  promised 
the  public  that  there  should  be  no  begging  on  the 
ground,  beyond  simply  taking  the  Quarterly  Meeting 
collection.  A  public  collection  should  not  be  made  even 
to  defray  the  expenses  of  the  camp  meeting,  but  the 
amount  should  be  raised  privately.  And,  said  thesft 
worthy  managers,  "  Brother,  you  have,  notwithstanding, 
come  all  the  way  from  Wilmington,  and  plunged  us  into 
this  serious  difficulty,  and  we  demand  that  you  should 
make  a  due  apology  before  the  whole  congregation,  and 
take  the  wliole  responsibility  upon  your  own  shoulders." 


IN   THE   ITIXERANCY.  187 


The  apology  commenced. 


I  cheerfully  acquiesced  with  the  wishes  of  the  managers, 
and  let  them  roll  the  ponderous  weight  that  seemed  to 
be  pressing  them,  upon  my  shoulders.  Sabbath  after- 
noon, when  there  would  be  a  large  congregation  present, 
was  fixed  upon  for  this  apology.  Rev.  G.  D.  Carrow 
preached  on  The  cure  of  JVaaman  the  le'per.  He  also 
presented  to  us  the  character  of  Elisha  the  Prophet.  I 
followed  with  the  apology  and  exhortation.  Everybody 
was  attentive,  anxious  to  see  what  turn  the  intruder 
would  take.  'The  speech  was  commenced  by  saying,  ''It 
seems  that  I  have  violated  the  rules  of  this  encampment, 
and  given  offence  to  the  people,  by  presenting  yester- 
day the  condition  of  the  church  of  which  I  am  pastor. 
I  did  not  know  that  the  rules  were  like  the  laws  of  the 
Medes  and  Persians,  unchangeable.  It  would  appear 
that  my  situation  is  very  unpleasant.  I  am  one  of  the 
last  men  designedly  to  give  offence  to  any  man  or  set 
of  men ;  and  to  give  offence  to  such  a  people  as  this ; 
'  tell  it  not  in  Gath,  publish  it  not  in  the  streets  of 
Askelon.'  No,  brethren,  I  hope  I  am  incapable  of  such 
a  discourteous  act  ;  and  I  now"  must  throw  myself  upon 
your  sympathies,  and  from  the  bottom  of  a  warm  heart 
say, 

*' Show  pity,  brothers!  0  sisters!  forgive, 
Let  a  repenting  Methodist  preacher  live." 

At  this  point  there  was  a  rustling  amongst  "  the  trees 
of  righteousness,  the  planting  of  the  Lord;"  or,  to  be 


188  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

The  apology  concluded. 

more  plain,  there  Tras  a  sliout  in  the  camp.  I  heard  the 
words  vociferously  uttered,  "  Amen  !  Hallelujah  ! ! 
Glory  to  God  ! ! !  God  bless  Brother  Manship  !"  I 
began  to  think,  I  am  safe,  all  will  be  well;  and  the 
passage  in  the  prophet  was  suggested  to  my  mind,  ^'  For 
ye  shall  go  out  with  joy,  and  be  led  forth  with  peace ;  the 
mountains  and  hills  shall  break  forth  before  you  into 
singing,  and  all  the  trees  of  the  field  shall  clap  their 
hands."  I  thought  it  was  time  now  to  conclude  my 
apology,  and  did  so  by  saying :  "  Dear  friends,  after 
having  made  this  apology,  and  taken  this  responsibility 
from  the  shoulders  of  the  managers  to  my  own,  if  any 
of  you  feel  like  coming  to  me,  as  Naaman  the  leper  (of 
whom  we  have  heard  to-day)  came  to  Elisha  the  prophet, 
and  should  beseech  me  to  take  a  blessing,  though  I 
admire  greatly  the  character  of  the  good  prophet  (and 
may  his  mantle  fall  on  me,  and  on  all  these  dear 
ministers  in  the  stand),  yet  in  this  one  respect  I  shall 
differ  from  him,  and  receive  whatever  the  liberality  of 
this  audience  prompts  them  to  bestow."  So  the  dear 
people  poured  it  in  upon  me  copiously,  and  emphatically 
''  rendered  double  unto  us."  I  suppose  the  collection  was 
increased  at  least  one  hundred  per  cent.,  and  the 
managers  and  all  the  people  appeared  happy  over  this 
result,  and  I  had  certainly  no  occasion  to  be  otherwise 
than  pleased. 

I  hope  not  to  weary  the  patience  of  my  readers,  but 


IN  THE   ITINERANCY.  189 

Camp  meeting  at  "Willis's  Woods. 

I  must  be  permitted  to  refer  to  another  camp,  where  I 
gained  access  to  the  people,  though  with  considerable 
effort ;  for  the  managers  thought  they  had  so  much  on 
hand  in  the  way  of  church  improvement  on  the  Circuit, 
that  they  would  have  to  give  me  a  negative  answer.  I 
told  them  that  that  would  never  do,  as  I  was  then  in  my 
native  county,  and  had  not  been  refused  among 
strangers.  Perseverance  led  the  friends  to  yield.  I 
told  them  when  I  made  the  statement,  that  I  only 
wanted  them  to  give  me  fifty  dollars.  I  also  assured 
them,  that  I  should  not  injure  the  religious  tone  of 
feeling  that  was  then  being  enjoyed.  After  I  was 
through  with  my  address,  bearing  on  this  struggling 
church,  I  told  the  audience  I  would  sing  the  hymn,  the 
chorus  of  which  is, 

"And  to  begging  I  will  go — 
Home  to  glory  I  'will  go." 

This  hymn  was  not  half  finished  before  I  had  reason  to 
believe  the  amount  asked  for  was  handed  up  to  the  stand. 
If  I  had  allowed  the  giving  to  have  gone  on,  which  was 
done  with  the  greatest  cheerfulness,  I  could  have  had  as 
much  more.  But  I  wanted  to  keep  my  word,  and  there- 
fore I  had  to  say  to  this  liberal  people,  "  Stop,  you  have 
done  all  I  asked  you  to  do."  The  flood-gates  were  sud- 
denly shut  down,  the  stream  dammed,  and  the  windows  of 
heaven  were  opened,  and  streams  of  salvation  flowed,  so 
that  we  could  appropriately  sing,  and  did  sing — 


190  THIRTEEN   years'    EXPERIENCE 

Give,  and  it  shall  be  given  imto  you. 

<*  It's  flowing  from  the  fountain, 
It's  running  like  a  stream." 

And  that  day,  notwithstanding  the  financial  business, 
many  souls  were  converted.  It  was  remarkable  to  witness, 
the  moment  after  the  money  matters  were  attended  to, 
at  least  fifty  persons  earnestly  seeking  that  which  is 
"better  than  gold  and  silver."  Some  persons  give  to 
the  cause  of  religion,  and  in  the  same  meeting  give  their 
hearts  to  God.  And  I  have  seen  them  soundly  con- 
verted, realizing  the  truth  of  God's  immutable  word, 
"  Give,  and  it  shall  be  given  unto  you,  good  measure, 
pressed  down  and  shaken  together,  and  running  over." 

More  fully  to  illustrate  the  passage  quoted  above,  I 
will  relate  an  incident  or  two  in  my  own  experience. 
While  I  was  pastor  of  this  church,  and  my  prospect  for 
support  was  not  overl/  flattering,  in  the  market  one 
morning  early  I  met  with  a  case  that  interested  me 
deeply.  I  gave  however  the  sum  of  ten  dollars,  and  it 
left  me  rather  destitute.  I  scarcely  had  money  enough 
left  to  purchase  my  marketing.  On  my  journey  home 
I  stopped  in  the  post-office.  There  was  a  letter  for  me 
containing  checks  to  the  amount  of  one  hundred  and 
twenty-five  dollars  !  This  was  placed  in  my  hands  as  a 
donation  entirely  unexpected.  I  was  ready  to  say,  "  The 
Lord  hath  dealt  bountifully  with  me."  Brethren  in 
the  ministry,  let  us  give.  However,  it  is  not  requisite 
to  exhort  you  to  this  course.     As  a  general  thing,  I 


IN  THE  ITINERANCY.  191 


Scatter  and  increase. 


don't  believe  there  is  a  more  liberal  set  of  men  in  the 
world.  But  perhaps  the  devil  will  tempt  us  that  we  shall 
come  to  want,  and  lead  us  to  inquire,  who  will  take  care 
of  our  wives  and  children  when  we  are  gone  ?  We  will 
remember  the  passage,  "  There  is  that  scattereth,  and 
yet  increaseth  ;  and  there  is  that  withholdeth  more  than 
is  meet,  but  it  tendeth  to  poverty."  I  was  connected 
with  an  infant  church  at  a  certain  period  in  my  itinerant 
life.  We  needed  the  sum  of  five  hundred  dollars.  The 
Sunday  was  fixed  upon  for  a  financial  efi'ort,  the  society 
was  rather  feeble,  and  about  that  time  I  was  not  very 
flush  in  the  way  of  means.  I  remarked  to  the  audience, 
"  I  am  hardly  able,  but  here  goes  five  dollars  to  this 
cause ;"  parting  at  that  moment  with  the  last  five  dollar 
bill  I  had.  I  remarked,  I  give  this  with  a  pure  motive, 
and  I  give  it  in  faith  in  God's  promise.  Before  the 
afternoon  service,  in  an  unexpected  way,  the  five  dollar 
note  was  replaced  in  the  shape  of  five  dollars  in  gold. 
I  mentioned  this  in  the  financiering  of  the  afternoon.  A 
gentleman  remarked  pleasantly,  "  Suppose  you  try  it 
again,  brother."  I  replied,  "I  will  most  cheerfully  if 
you  will. do  likewise."  This  agreement  was  made.  Be- 
fore the  evening  service  was  ended,  I  was  requested  to 
come  to  my  residence  in  haste.  I  went — not  knowing 
but  some  one  was  sick.  My  heart  was  sad,  but  I  re- 
turned to  the  church  with  a  light  heart  and  a  heavy 
pocket.     In  an  unlooked  for  manner  I  had  receiyed  fire 


192  THIRTEEN   years'    EXrERIENCE 

A  venture. 

dollars  in  silver.  The  money  matters  were  carried 
through  the  evening  as  well  as  the  morning  and  after- 
noon services.  I  mentioned  the  goodness  of  God  to  me, 
in  suddenly  restoring  me  all  I  had  given  to  his  cause. 
I  was  challenged  to  try  this  experiment  once  more.  I 
suppose  my  friend  thought  I  would  decline.  I  accepted 
in  the  fear  of  God.  And  by  this  means  that  day  gave 
fifteen  dollars.  The  very  next  day,  Monday,  two  other 
couple,  that  I  had  no  claims  upon  whatever,  came  to  my 
residence  to  he  married,  making  in  all  four  couple  from 
remote  points,  each  party  giving  me  five  dollars.  After 
all,  I  had  five  dollars  left.  The  several  weddings  took 
place  in  less  than  twenty-four  hours  from  the  time  the 
money  was  given. 

The  camp  meeting  tour  at  an  end,  I  resumed  my 
work  in  the  Odd  Fellows'  Hall,  where  I  laboured  on  the 
Sabbath,  and,  through  the  week,  at  the  school-houses, 
private  houses,  and  St.  Paul's  Lecture  Room.  In  the 
month  of  September  I  made  another  pledge  to  our  trus- 
tees, who  did  not  contemplate  finishing  the  basement. 
I  told  them  that  would  never  do,  because  for  Sunday 
School  and  class  meeting  purposes  the  basement  was 
absolutely  necessary.  And  furthermore,  if  they  would 
go  forward  and  complete  it,  I  would  obligate  myself  to 
raise  the  necessary  amount  beyond  the  city  of  Wilming- 
ton. This  proposition  was  accepted,  and  I  turned  my 
eyes  and  heart  towards  Philadelphia,  and  obtained  a 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  193 

Dedication  of  basement. 

generous  collection  from  Union,  Ebenezer,  Kensington, 
and  Wharton  Street  Methodist  Episcopal  Churches. 
These  amounts,  with  a  few  private  donations,  enabled 
me  to  fulfil  mj  promise.  And  the  trustees  nobly  ful- 
filled theirs.  The  basement  was  completed  and  ready 
for  occupancy  in  the  month  of  October  of  the  first  year 
of  my  connexion  with  them.  We  bade  farewell  to  the 
Hall  after  occupying  it  nearly  six  months  advantage- 
ously to  our  cause,  and  comfortably  to  our  souls  and 
bodies.  We  had  every  convenience  we  could  ask.  It 
was  an  imposing  spectacle  to  see  our  Sunday  School 
emerging  from  this  place,  on  the  afternoon  of  the  day 
of  our  dedication,  two  and  two,  led  on  by  the  superin- 
tendents and  teachers,  to  take  possession  of  the  home 
that  had  been  provided  for  them.  The  school  did  well 
in  the  hall,  doubtless  better  in  the  church.  "  They  go 
from  strength  to  strength."  "  Out  of  the  mouth  of 
babes  and  sucklings  hast  thou  ordained  strength." 

The  day  of  dedication  was  a  bright  one,  and  it  was 
so  arranged  that  we  were  not  to  have  any  special  collec- 
tion, as  the  greater  dedication  was  close  at  hand.  It 
was  a  day  of  great  religious  enjoyment.  I  tried  to 
preach  morning  and  evening  to  a  crowded  auditory. 
Never  did  a  people  feel  more  like  fulfilling  the  direction 
of  the  Psalmist,  "  Sing  aloud  unto  God  our  strength  : 
make  a  joyful  noise  unto  the  God  of  Jacob."  Not  only 
did  the  people  of  God  rejoice,  but  penitents  iu  the  even- 
17 


194         THIRTEEN  YEARS'  EXPERIENCE 

First  convert.  Dedication  of  Union  Methodist  Episcopal  Churcfn, 

ing  meeting  cried  for  mercy ;  and  one  interesting  youn^ 
lady,  while  we  were  dedicating  the  house  to  God's  wor- 
ship, dedicated  her  soul,  body,  her  all  to  the  Saviour- 
She  was  accepted ;  and  she  was  the  honoured  one  firs{ 
to  be  converted  in  this  newly  erected  temple.  No  cir 
cumstance  that  occurred  during  the  day  was  more 
pleasing  to  us  than  the  conversion  of  this  soul.  We 
took  this  as  an  evidence  that  the  Great  Head  of  the 
Church  would  ever  let  his  "  eyes  be  open  upon  this  house 
day  and  night,  upon  the  place  whereof  thou  hast  said 
that  thou  wouldst  put  thy  name  there."  We  took  this 
as  a  token  that  souls  would  from  time  to  time  here  be 
born  again.  This  is  the  great  object  to  be  had  in  view 
in  erecting  houses  of  prayer.  They  are  not  to  be  used 
for  scientific  or  secular  purposes  :  "  For  my  house  shall 
be  called  a  house  of  prayer  for  all  people." 

This  part  of  the  house  was  not  sufficiently  capacious 
to  accommodate  the  many  that  came,  and,  from  the  force 
of  circumstances,  we  had  to  urge  the  completion  of  the 
upper  part  of  the  Church,  which  was  done  in  the  latter 
part  of  the  month  of  November,  and  on  Thursday,  the 
25th  day  of  that  month,  it  was  opened  for  service.  Bishop 
Janes  preached  the  opening  sermon.  It  was  appro- 
priate, and  will  long  be  remembered  as  a  masterly  pulpit 
effort.  In  the  afternoon  and  evening  the  audience  was 
addressed  by  Rev.  Henry  Slicer,  who,  on  such  occasions, 
is  surpassed  by  few,  if  any,  in  our  connexion.     He  is  a 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  ]95 

Rev.  Henry  Slicer. 

Methociist  preacher  of  the  primitive  stamp,  nevertheless 
popular,  commanding  respect  in  high  as  well  as  humble 
places.  For  many  years  he  has  served  as  chaplain  to 
the  United  States  Senate,  and  has  filled  with  credit 
many  of  the  important  appointments  in  the  Baltimore 
Conference,  and  is  now  a  Presiding  Elder  in  that  Con- 
ference. May  he  live  long  to  preach  in  simplicity  and 
power  the  "unsearchable  riches  of  Christ!"  We  were, 
as  it  regards  ministerial  help,  highly  favoured  on  this 
dedication  occasion.  The  amount  obtained  that  day 
surpassed  our  expectations.  This,  in  addition  to  what 
had  previously  been  done,  left  our  circumstances  quite 
manageable.  Our  society  did  nobly  in  this  respect. 
Our  expectations  were  high  for  a  general  revival,  and 
we  were  all  ready  to  say,  "  For  Zion's  sake  I  will  not 
hold  my  peace,  and  for  Jerusalem's  sake  I  will  not  rest, 
until  the  righteousness  thereof  go  forth  as  brightness, 
and  the  salvation  thereof  as  a  lamp  that  burneth." 


19G  THIRTEEN  YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 


CHAPTER  IX. 

The  Prodigal  Son  coming  Home — The  vilest  Sinner  may  return — A 
Visit  from  a  supposed  Jesuit — The  Vii'gin  Mary's  Name  called  upon 
— Misbehaviour  in  Church  reprehensible — Taken  for  a  Roman  Ca- 
tholic Priest — Why  object  to  Missionary  Appropriations  at  Home — 
Good  done  in  our  new  "Union"  Camp  Meeting  Tent — A  Blood- 
vessel supposed  to  be  ruptured — The  Sinner  sometimes  suddenly 
destroyed — The  last  Sabbath  with  the  "  Union"  Church— Bishop 
Waugh — Invite  Penitents  generally — Do  not  make  too  free  with  the 
Benediction — Judge  Hall — Will  not  the  Prayers  of  the  Children  help 
Ministers? — Must  feel  deeply  for  our  Relations — Old-fashioned 
Shout  by  a  Presbyterian  Lady — Rev.  Jonas  Bissey — Rev.  James 
Smith. 

AFTER  we  took  posession  of  tlie  new  cliurcli,  which 
was  not  only  filled  with  people  to  overflowing,  but 
■with  the  presence  of  God,  which  did  not  prove  to  be  a 
momentary  affair.  It  abided  with  us,  while  I  was  per- 
mitted to  remain,  and  has  been  realized  by  my  worthy 
successors.  We  had  many  interesting  cases  of  conver- 
sion. When  this  new  church  was  opened,  a  gentleman 
commenced  attending  the  meetings  to  the  surprise  of 
everybody.  He  was  a  man  of  good  family,  had  inherited 
considerable  property,  which  however  he  had  squandered, 
was  a  prodigal  son,  and  so  alienated  from  God  and 
religion,  that  scarcely  any  one  supposed  he  would  ever 
become  religious.  No  one,  however,  was  more  regular  in 
his  attendance  at  our  new  house  than  he,  and,  hearing 


IN    THE   ITINERANCY.  197 

The  prodigal  son  coming  home. 

the  gospel  preached,  and  seeing  the  grace  of  God  in  the 
conversion  of  souls,  and  seeing  there  also  one  of  his  old 
companions  in  sin  of  every  grade  (such  as  fighting,  horse- 
racing,  drinking,  &c.),  ^'  clothed  and  in  his  right  mind," 
and  labouring  around  the  altar  with  mourners,  and 
being  invited  by  his  old  comrade  to  go  with  him  to 
heaven,  this  man,  whose  heart  was  callous,  and  consi- 
dered by  the  community  a  hopeless  case,  melted  like  wax 
before  the  fire.  He  came  to  the  conclusion,  "As  we  have 
been  companions  in  wickedness,  we  will  be  companions 
in  the  service  of  the  Lord."  He  reasoned  thus,  "  If  my 
friend  has  found  pardon  and  mercy,  then  I  may  hope 
for  salvation."  And  this  athletic  man,  while  we  were 
singing, 

•*  The  dying  thief  rejoiced  to  see 
That  fountain  in  his  day ; 
And  there  may  I,  though  vile  as  he, 
Wash  all  my  sins  away," 

came  forward  to  the  altar,  to  the  astonishment  of 
perhaps  angels,  men,  and  devils.  Here  he  struggled 
for  two  weeks.  Day  and  night,  he  was  seeking,  at  the 
church  and  at  his  home.  Finally  deliverance  came ;  the 
father  met  this  long  lost-son,  and  "  we  began  to  be 
merry;"  we  shouted  over  this  "brand  plucked  from  the 
burning."  The  news  flew  through  our  city;  the  people 
could  not  believe  it  to  be -possible.  I  remember  the  next 
day  to  have  met  the  venerable  Joseph  Whitington,  long 


198  THIRTEEN   years'    EXRERIEXCE 

Rev.  Joseph  Whittington. 

a  minister  of  high  standing  among  the  people  of  colour. 

Said  he  to  mo,  "  They  tell  me  Mr. is  converted  ;  that 

he  obtained  religion  last  night  at  your  church ;  is  it  so  ?" 
I  remarked,  I  have  not  a  doubt  of  it.  "Well,"  said  the 
old  gentlemen,  "  if  he  is  converted,  then  the  devil  himself 
can  get  converted."  And  we  both  rejoiced  over  the 
event,  because  we  felt  additional  encouragement  to 
preach  the  gospel  to  the  very  chief  of  sinners,  and 
despair  of  the  salvation  of  no  man  while  he  is  above 
ground,  and  never  give  a  bill  of  sale  to  the  devil  of  the 
most  hardened  sinner  this  side  of  hell ;  and  we  deter- 
mined we  would  preach  and  sing, 

"While  the  lamp  holds  out  to  burn, 
The  vilest  sinner  may  return." 

I  may  farther  remark  that  as  it  was  in  the  case  of  Saul, 
who  before  his  conversion  was  so  desperate,  so  it  was  in 
regard  to  the  person  described.  "  And  when  Saul  was 
come  to  Jerusalem,  he  essayed  to  join  himself  to  the 
disciples ;  but  they  were  all  afraid  of  him,  and  believed 
not  that  he  was  a  disciple."  But  the  fears  of  the  primi- 
tive Church  were  soon  banished  relative  to  Saul ;  and,  by 
"  ceasing  to  do  evil  and  learning  to  do  well,"  the  dear 
brother  referred  to,  has  convinced  all  long  ago  that  the 
gospel  in  his  case  has  been  "  the  power  of  God  unto 
salvation." 

The  revival  reached  some  of  the  Roman  Catholic 


IN   THE    ITINERAXCY.  199 

I  cannot  come  down. 

friends',  which  caused  a  little  uneasiness  at  head  quarters. 
I  came  to  this  conclusion  from  the  fact  that  I  was 
visited  one  day  by  a  person,  whose  name  was  not  given, 
of  very  respectable  appearance.  He  reported  to  me 
"  that  some  in  distress  of  mind,  who  had  attended  my 
meetings,  and  he  amongst  the  rest,  had  gone  to  the  priest 
for  some  counsel,  and  that  he  had  been  sent  by  the 
priest  to  request  me  to  meet  him  at  a  given  point,  where 
he  would  convince  me  and  his  young  friends  concerned, 
that  he  had  power  to  give  absolution  to  penitents ;  and 
that  he,  in  a  word,  would  prove  the  infallibility  of  the 
Roman  Catholic  Church — that  it  was  right,  and  that 
Protestants  were  wrong."  I  said  to  this  individual,  who 
declined  giving  his  name,  "  Here  are  Kirwan's  letters  to 
Archbishop  Hughes.  Read  them ;  they  will  throw  more 
light  on  the  subjects  you  profess  to  want  light  upon, 
than  any  controversy  could  that  might  take  place 
between. your  priest  and  myself.  Controversy  is  not 
very  profitable ;  and  please  tell  him  I  am  doing  a  great 
work,  so  that  I  cannot  come  down ;  why  should  the  work 
cease  while  I  leave  it,  and  come  down  to  you  ?" 

I  heard  no  more  from  this  quarter.  I  never  saw 
afterwards  the  man  that  called  upon  me,  and  I  never 
saw  Kirwan's  letters.  The  book  was  not  returned,  and 
I  thought  probably  it  was  considered  to  be  a  heretic  and 
burnt.     Many  heretics  have  been  punished  in  this  way. 

Shortly  after  this  interview,  while  our  meeting  was 


200  THIRTEEN    YEARS*    EXPERIENCE 

The  Holy  Virgin  disgraced. 

going  forward  most  gloriously,  there  were  some  ill-dis- 
posed persons  who  attended ;  two  or  three  sons  of  tlie 
Emerald  Isle  especially,  who  were,  I  presume,  a  little 
intoxicated,  notwithstanding  they  appeared  to  belong  to 
the  Mother  Church.  And  such  was  their  course,  that 
our  brethren  were  compelled  to  have  them  arrested. 
They  were  quite  uproarious.     We  heard  them  say,  in 

substance,  "  They  converted  S ,  and  we  would  like 

for  them  to  undertake  to  convert  us.  We  belong  to  the 
true  Church;  and,  in  the  name  of  the  Holy  Virgin,  we 
can  whip  any  man  that  puts  his  hands  upon  us." 
Although  high  relationship  sometimes  screens  a  man 
from  suffering  the  penalty  of  the  law,  in  this  case  the 
associations  with  the  Virgin  did  not  exonerate  them  from 
being  taken  that  night  before  the  Mayor  of  the  city,  and 
committed  to  the  city  prison.  They  were  dealt  with  as 
every  such  desperado  ought  to  be,  whether  Catholic  or 
Protestant,  native  born  or  otherwise.  Disturbing  a 
religious  meeting  is  a  most  reprehensible  thing.  And 
when  any  one  feels  dis230sed  to  misbehave  in  a  place  of 
worship,  it  would  be  well  if  that  heedless  individual 
could  have  whispered  in  his  ears  the  words  of  Solomon : 
^'  Keep  thy  foot,  when  thou  goest  to  the  house  of  God, 
and  be  more  ready  to  hear  than  to  give  the  sacrifice  of 
fools."  i 

The  new  priest  who  came  to  St.  Peter's  Church,  in 
this  city,  during  my  connexion  with  this  place,  resided 


IN  THE   ITINERANCY.  201 

Taken  for  a  Roman  priest. 

next  door  to  me,  and,  so  far  as  I  know,  was  a  gentle- 
man; and,  whether  I  looked  like  him  or  not,  I  was 
taken  for  him  by  a  female,  one  morning  in  a  grocery 
store.  The  circumstances  were  as  follows.  It  was  a 
frosty  morning ;  I  found  my  cloak  to  be  necessary.  It 
was  rather  long,  as  men  of  this  order  generally  wear 
them.  I  came  from  the  same  locality,  and  the  priest 
had  not  long  been  stationed  at  St.  Peter's,  and  I  think 
the  lady  was  a  new-comer.     Said  this  female  when  we 

met,  "  Plase  your  reverence,  did  Mary  Mc die  last' 

night?"  I  answered,  "I  did  not  know  such  a  person." 
She  replied,  '^  Sir,  you  are  the  praist,  and  you  were 
there  last  night,  and  administered  the  rites  of  the  Church 
to  her."  I  replied,  "I  am  not  the  priest,  but  an 
humble  Methodist  preacher,  living  next  door  to  the 
priest;"  and  added,  "You  have  not  been  here  long,  and 
you  are  yet  unacquainted  with  your  minister  and  the 
country,  and  I  trust  you  may  do  well  and  be  happy. 
The  Irish  people  are  warm-hearted,  and  I  like  them  when 
they  walk  uprightly;"  and  I  also  said  to  her,  "  I  have 
been  taken  for  an  Irishman  before  to-day."  She  quickly 
said,  "Yes,  and  God  knows  you  can't  deny  it  aitJie?-, 
you  are  the  praist."     I  left  her  unconvinced. 

At  the  Conference  which  was  held  in  Smyrna,  Dela- 
ware, in  1851,  I  was  again  appointed  to  labour  in  the 
Union  Church,  Wilmington.  This  infant  church,  during 
its  first  year,  grew  so  rapidly  "  in  favour  with  God  and 


202        THIRTEEN  YEARS'  EXPERIENCE 

Help  weak  places.  The  canvass  church. 

man,"  that  it  was  considered  uxinecessary  to  make  to  it 
a  missionary  appropriation.  lu  fact,  we  took  to  Con- 
ference the  very  first  year  nearly  sixty  dollars!  And 
from  that  day  till  now  it  has  contributed,  and  will  con- 
tinue to  contribute  to  the  missionary  treasury,  and  also 
to  sustain  its  own  ministry  generously. 

I  feel  like  asking  the  question,  Why  should  there  be 
objections  to  appropriations  made  to  domestic  missions  ? 
It  comes  back  a  hundred  fold ;  it  is  a  clear  financial  gain. 
Help  the  weak  places,  they  will  soon  help  themselves 
and  help  others.  If  a  point  needs  a  strong  man,  even 
if  his  family  be  large  and  the  membership  weak,  send 
him,  even  if  it  cost  the  missionary  treasury  for  the  first 
year  or  two  several  hundred  dollars.  What  is  money  in 
comparison  with  souls  ?  But  as  I  have  already  inti- 
mated, if  the  proper  arrangements  be  made,  the  harvest 
spiritually  and  temporally  will  be  reaped,  and  that  too 
at  no  distant  day. 

From  the  Conference  of  ISol,  till  camp  meeting 
■season,  with  the  ordinary  means  of  grace,  we  frequently 
«vere  permitted  to  see  souls  converted  to  God.  But 
in  our  new  large  camp  meeting  tent  at  Red  Lion,  in 
August,  we  were  specially  revived  again.  At  that  meet- 
ing many  were  blessed  under  our  new  canvass  chui'ch 
in  the  wilderness.  One  night  there  were  twenty  con- 
verted in  our  tent :  one  man  nearly  eighty  years  of  age. 
We  went  home  determined  to  scatter  the  camp  fire.    The 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  203 

A  groundless  alarm. 

work  went  victoriously  on  without  much,  if  any,  inter- 
mission, till  the  Conference  of  1852.  The  labours  were 
very  arduous,  and  I  thought  one  Sunday  evening  all  was 
over  with  me.  The  house,  galleries,  vestibule,  aisles,  all 
were  filled.  I  was  inspired  by  surrounding  circum- 
stances, and  preaching  earnestly,  suddenly,  upon  press- 
ing against  the  breastwork  of  the  pulpit,  I  found  some- 
thing had  given  way,  and  in  an  instant  I  saw  dark  spots 
on  the  fair  pages  of  the  Holy  Bible  before  me,  resembling 
blood.  The  first  impression  on  my  mind  was,  I  have 
broken  a  blood-vessel,  and  in  a  moment  I  shall  fall  dead 
in  the  stand !  This  was  a  trying  instant.  My  appre- 
hensions were  allayed  by  grinding  under  my  feet  some- 
thing which  appeared  like  glass.  This  reminded  me  that 
I  had  suffered  greatly  from  the  toothache,  and  I  was 
that  night  fortified  with  a  phial  of  medicine,  which  I  car- 
ried in  my  waistcoat  pocket.  The  phial  coming  in  contact 
with  the  breastwork  of  the  pulpit  it  had  broken  asunder, 
and  its  contents  had  gushed  out.  This  was  no  more 
blood  than  the  coloured  matter  which  the  magicians  of 
Egypt  brought  about  to  imitate  the  miracle  of  turning 
the  water  of  the  river  into  blood.  I  doubt  not  but  the 
devil  had  a  hand  in  both  transactions.  It  is  true  my 
case  might  be  considered  insignificant  in  comparison  with 
the  other ;  yet,  if  he  could  have  driven  me  from  my  posi- 
tion that  night,  he  would  gladly  have  done  it.  He,  the 
devil,  knew  well  that  Grod  in  his  miracle-working  power 


204  THIRTEEN  years'  experience 


His  last  call. 


would  be  there.  The  conversion  of  every  sinner  is  a 
miracle.  He  wanted  to  thwart  the  work  by  trying  to 
make  me  believe  that  I  had  actually  ruptured  a  blood- 
vessel. This  circumstance  caused  me  to  press  on  in  the 
work  with  greater  vigour.  I  did  not  die,  but  to  God  be 
all  the  glory,  that  night  many  did  die,  in  the  sense  of 
the  apostle — "Sin  revived,"  and  they  ''died."  But 
they  lived  again.  May  they  live  for  ever  !  Ere  that 
meeting  closed,  some  of  them  could  joyfully  say  in  sub- 
stance, "  I  am  crucified  with  Christ :  nevertheless  I  live ; 
yet  not  I,  but  Christ  liveth  in  me:  and  the  life  which  I 
now  live  in  the  flesh,  I  live  by  the  faith  of  the  Son  of 
God,  who  loved  me  and  gave  himself  for  me." 

About  this  time  a  most  solemn  circumstance  occurred. 
A  man  attended  the  revival  who  had  not  been  much  in 
the  habit  of  frequentiiig  such  places.  The  Spirit  ope- 
rated powerfully  upon  his  heart,  he  was  urged  to  "  yield 
to  love's  resistless  power."  But,  like  many  others,  he 
supposed  another  time  would  suffice.  He  had  that  night 
a  restless  time.  He  slept  with  a  member  of  the  church, 
who  boarded  about  the  same  house.  He  talked  much  on 
the  subject  of  religion,  and  expressed  regret  that  he  did 
not  accept  the  invitation  that  was  so  cordially  given  him 
that  night  in  the  Union  Church.  It  was  his  very  last  call ! 
For,  Monday  morning,  after  taking  his  breakfast  as  usual, 
he  stepped  into  the  yard,  and  expected  in  a  moment  or 
two  to  be  at  the  place  of  his  business ;  but  death  struck 


IN   THE  ITINERANCY.  205 

A  memorable  day. 

him,  he  fell  a  victim  to  the  king  of  terrors,  in  sight  of 
the  place  of  prayer  where  he  had  the  preceding  evening 
been  entreated  to  be  reconciled  to  God.  Reader,  "  be 
ye  also  ready."     Take  warning  from  this  case  ! 

The  two  years  spent  in  this  charge  were  busy  ones ; 
but  in  reviewing  them  I  felt  an  assurance  that  they  were 
not  spent  in  vain.  There  were  received,  all  told,  during 
the  two  years,  about  four  hundred  and  fifty ^  into  this 
church. 

The  last  Sunday  before  Conference  was  a  memora- 
ble day.  The  love  feast,  in  the  afternoon  of  the  day, 
was  one  of  great  power.  That  meeting  commenced  at 
three  o'clock  p.  M.,  and  never  closed  till  ten  o'clock  at 
night.  We  only  spent  the  disciplinary  time  in  speaking, 
one  hour  and  a  half.  Then  followed  a  deeply-interest- 
ing meeting,  in  which  several  souls  were  converted.  We 
did  not  think  about  the  evening  shades  beginning  to 
prevail  until  we  saw  the  gas-lights  burning.  The  thought 
of  supper  escaped  many  a  mind  that  evening.  I  preach- 
ed, at  the  proper  evening  hour,  my  last  sermon  as  their 
pastor.  The  next  evening  we  were  favoured  with  the 
presence  and  labours  of  Bishop  Waugh,  on  his  way  to 
the  Philadelphia  Conference.  He  saw  a  very  different 
state  of  things  from  what  was  before  his  eyes  in  the 
spring  of  1850,  at  which  time  this  good  man  did  much 
to  "  strengthen  the  things  which  were  weak,  and  ready 
to  die."  The  conm-eo-ation,  to  hear  him  on  this  occa- 
18 


206  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

Faith  laughs  at  impossibilities. 

sion,  was  overflowing.  Scores  and  hundreds  had,  in  the 
mean  time,  been  brought  into  the  Church.  And  with 
much  propriety  it  might  be  said,  that  "  when  he  came, 
and  had  seen  the  grace  of  God,  he  was  glad,  and  ex- 
horted them  all  that  with  pui'pose  of  heart  they  would 
cleave  unto  the  Lord." 

The  sermon  was  listened  to  with  the  most  profound 
interest.  It  was  well  calculated  to  establish  young  con- 
verts, and  confirm  them  in  the  faith  of  the  gospel.  It 
was  about  nine  o'clock  when  the  sermon  was  closed.  I 
took  the  Conference  collection,  which  was  an  excellent 
one,  and  then  proceeded  to  exhort.  I  remarked,  '' Per- 
haps some  of  you"  (for  we  had  persons  from  all  the 
churches  to  hear  the  Bishop)  "  will  think  it  passing 
strange  that  Brother  Manship  should  dare  to  deliver  an 
exhortation  of  this  character  in  the  presence  of  the 
Bishop.  But  I  know  what  manner  of  spirit  he  is  of. 
He  is  at  home  around  the  altar,  bending  over  the  peni- 
tent, at  our  camp  and  protracted  meetings.  I  doubt  not 
but  he  would  be  greatly  pleased  this  night  to  see  a  soul 
converted."  Said  the  venerable  man,  "  I  should  like  to 
see  it,  brother."  I  replied,  "Bless  God,  sir,"  (for  I  felt 
strong  in  faith,)  "  you  shall  see,  this  night,  his  salvation 
in  the  conversion  of  souls  !"  Some  of  the  people  felt 
that  my  remarks  were  too  positive,  and  thought  how 
badly  Brother  Manship  would  feel  if  none  should  come 
forward.     And  they  feared,  as  it  was  late,  and  as  there 


IN   THE    ITINERANCY.  207 

A  dance-house  made  a  house  of  prayer. 

had  been  begging  for  a  good  Conference  collection,  and 
as  the  people  came  to  hear  the  Bishop,  that  I  should  be 
disappointed  in  my  calculations.  To  my  great  delight, 
as  soon  as  the  invitation  was  given,  at  least  thirty  or 
forty  came  forward  promptly.  And  no  meeting,  that 
had  ever  been  held  in  this  church,  was  more  marked  by 
the  presence  and  power  of  God.  The  Bishop  took  an 
active  part  in  the  altar  work,  thus  setting  an  example  to 
younger  ministers  worthy  of  iniitation  !  When  ten  o'clock 
came,  I  said  to  the  Bishop,  "  We  will  now  close,  if  you 
•think  it  proper,  and  retire  to  our  rest."  He  was  my  guest 
at  the  time.  He  replied,  "  Here  are  some  penitents  that 
are  in  such  a  good  way,  we  had  better  continue  a  little 
longer,  Brother  Manship."  And,  sure  enough,  the 
Bishop  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  several  converted, 
and  among  the  number  an  old  lady  that  had  been  keep- 
ing a  dance-house !  Her  daughter  was  also  converted. 
A  great  change  took  place  in  the  family,  and  religious 
meetings  were  held  in  her  house,  instead  of  dances  and 
frolics.  The  daughter  soon  fell  away,  and  being  led  by 
some  young  persons,  took  a  pleasure  trip  on  the  Chris- 
tiana. The  boat  capsized,  and  this  poor  backsliding 
child  was  drowned,  and  brought  home  to  her  distressed 
mother  a  corpse.  This  would  not  have  been  the  case 
had  she  continued  faithful,  and  "remembered  the  Sab- 
bath day  to  keep  it  holy."  This  sad  affair  occurred  on 
the  Lord's  day. 


208  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

To  get  a  soul  converted  always  in  order. 

Dear  young  reader,  let  us  "  stand  fast,  therefore,  in 
the  liberty  wherewith  Christ  hath  made  us  free,  and  be 
uot  entangled  again  with  the  yoke  of  bondage."  Some 
that  were  converted  that  night  are  still  in  the  way,  and 
feel  thankful  that  they  had  the  privilege  of  hearing  that 
venerable  man.  And,  although  it  was  unexpected  to 
them,  under  the  circumstances,  they  rejoice  that  the 
invitation  was  given  to  approach  the  altar.  Are  not  good 
impressions  and  perhaps  immortal  souls  lost,  by  a  fail- 
ure to  invite  mourners  to  the  altar,  after  a  powerful  ser- 
mon has  been  delivered  ?  Who  has  not  heard  it  said,  by  • 
the  unconverted,"  I  felt  like  seeking  religion  to-day.  If 
there  had  been  an  opportunity  offered  I  would  have 
sought  the  Lord."  I  maintain  it  is  in  order  always  to 
get  a  soul  converted.  I  once,  on  a  very  warm  night, 
preached  on  a  Circuit  that  I  had  previously  travelled ; 
the  crowd  was  great,  both  inside  and  outside  of  the  house ; 
there  was  considerable  feeling.  Some  shouted  aloud  for 
joy,  others  were  pensive,  and  freely  shed  tears,  and  gave 
signs  of  true  penitence.  The  junior  minister  of  the  Cir- 
cuit followed  me  with  a  fervent  prayer,  sung  the  doxo- 
logy,  and  dismissed  with  the  benediction.  The  people 
manifested  a  disposition  to  remain  longer ;  a  spiritual, 
zealous  member  of  the  church  started  a  lively  tune,  and 
it  "  swiftly  ran."  The  circumstances  led  me  to  venture 
to  invite  penitents  to  the  altar.  Several  came,  and  some 
were  that  night  converted  to   God,  one  of  whom  has 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  209 

A  grateful  convert. 

since  gone  to  his  grave.  Another  young  man  that  was 
set  at  liberty  that  happy  hour,  is  still  travelling  the  celes- 
tial road.  He  has  since  occupied  a  public  position  in 
civil  office,  and  is  now  a  successful  practitioner  of  medi- 
cine, but  the  vows  he  made  that  night  he  has  ever  endea- 
voured to  pay.  I  received  recently  a  letter  from  him, 
in  which  he  says :  "  I  would  be  very  happy  to  do  any- 
thing in  my  power  for  you.  I  hope  you  will  not  think 
I  am  flattering  you  when  I  say  that  I  have  more  than 
an  ordinary  respect  for  you,  and  feel  a  greater  degree  of 
Christian  love  and  affection  than  for  any  other  minister 
of  the  gospel  of  my  acquaintance,  probably  occasioned 
by  the  great  interest  you  always  seemed  to  manifest  in 
my  behalf.  I  am  still  trying  to  serve  the  Lord.  I  never 
can  forget  that  happy,  happy  night !"  My  course,  that 
night,  to  some  might  appear  presumptuous.  After  the 
minister  dismissed  the  meeting,  prudence  would  seem  to 
require  that  I  should  not  have  dared  to  invite  penitents 
forward.  But  I  adhered  then,  as  I  do  now,  to  the  prin- 
ciple that  it  is  always  in  order  to  get  a  soul  converted. 
It  was  somewhat  amusing  to  hear  one  of  the  warm- 
hearted coloured  friends,  after  the  meeting  was  over, 
descanting  upon  the  circumstance.  He  remarked,  ''I 
am  much  pleased  with  our  junior  minister,  but  1  think 
he  made  entirely  too  free,  last  night,  with  the  ' diction  T' 
I  hope  I  shall  never,  when  there  is  a  hkelihood  of  win- 
niog  a  soul  to  Christ,  "  make  too  free  with  the  henedic- 
18* 


210  THIRTEEN    YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

lion.  Judge  Uall. 

tionT'  0,  how  important  is  the  salvation  of  one  soul  • 
"  The  cry  of  a  believing  penitent  is  sufficient  to  stop  the 
most  merciful  Jesus,  were  he  going  to  make  a  new  hea 
ven  and  new  earth ;  for  what  is  all  the  irrational  part 
of  God's  creation  worth  when  compared  with  the  value 
of  one  immortal  soul?" 

I  found  Judge  Hall,  of  this  city,  a  Presbyterian  gen- 
tleman of  high  standing  in  Church  and  State,  formerly 
a  member  of  Congress,  and  now  Judge  of  the  United 
States'  Court  for  the  District  of  Delaware,  ready  for 
every  good  word  and  work.  I  have  frequently  been 
associated  with  him  in  Sunday  School  extension.  He 
will  plead  for  this  cause  anywhere,  and  at  any  time. 
Many  a  youth  in  that  city,  in  the  Sabbath  School,  has 
he  directed  to  Calvary,  and  instructed  in  God's  Word. 
The  Bible  cause  lies  near  his  heart.  He  has  been  Pre- 
sident of  the  "  Delaware  Bible  Society"  for  many  years. 
The  Judge  is  by  no  means  sectarian ;  he  is  a  great  friend 
to  the  Itinerancy,  and  Methodism  generally.  I  have 
shed  tears  of  joy,  in  different  places  in  that  city,  while 
I  have  listened  to  his  views,  and  seen  him  treading  in 
the  footsteps  of  Robert  Raikes,  labouring  assiduously  to 
save  the  poor  children.  I  had  the  honour,  several  times, 
of  following  the  Judge  in  advocating  this  cause.  On  a 
certain  occasion  there  had  been  a  one-story  school  room 
erected  in  a  neglected  part  of  the  city.  One  leading 
object  was  to  reach  the  children  through  Sunday  School 


IN    THE    ITINERANCY.  211 

An  entertaining  circumstance. 

labour.  The  Judge  finished  his  eloquent  speech  by 
taking  out  of  his  pocket  a  twenty  dollar  note,  and  say- 
ing, "  Mr.  Manship,  you  are  to  follow,  and  one  object 
you  will  have  in  view  will  be  to  try  to  get  this  school 
room  paid  for.  Take  this,  to  begin  with."  This  good 
beginning  (and  this  was  his  manner)  inspired  me  for  my 
work.  The  amount  asked  for  was  received,  and  the 
good  done  in  that  one  place  will  not  be  revealed  in  this 
world.  Such  men  as  Honourable  Judge  Hall  are  rare. 
I  have  not  only  met  with  him  at  the  places  referred  to,  but 
in  the  market,  several  times  a  week,  generally.  He  always 
does  his  own  marketing,  though  advanced  in  life.  I 
have  also  taken  sweet  counsel  with  him  in  his  study,  and 
never  had  an  interview  but  I  felt  I  was  improved  both 
in  my  head  and  heart.  He  is  exceedingly  plain  in  his 
appearance,  and  no  less  so  in  his  manners,  and  a  stranger 
would  not  suppose  there  was  anything  in  him  remarka- 
ble. At  the  bar,  in  the  halls  of  legislation,  on  the 
bench,  labouring  in  the  Bible  cause,  in  the  cause  of  edu- 
cation, temperance,  and  Sunday  School  work,  he  has 
purchased  to  himself  "a  good  degree."  But  this  hum- 
ble Christian  gentleman  is  ready  to  exclaim,  doubtless, 
"B-'  the  grace  of  God  I  am  what  I  am." 

In  my  book,  I  very  much  desire  to  interest  the 
children.  I  therefore  venture  to  record  here  a  circum- 
stance that  will,  I  trust,  entertain  them  and  be  service- 
able in  other  directions.    I  changed  appointments,  when 


212  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

Charmed  by  the  singing  of  a  little  girl. 

I  was  in  Callowliill  Street  at  "  Bethleliem"  church,  with 
a  young  Itinerant,  who  at  the  time  travelled  one  of  our 
Circuits.  He  wished  to  spend  a  Sabbath  with  his 
mother,  who  resided  in  Philadelphia.  I  put  up  with  an 
interesting  Christian  family,  near  where  I  was  to  preach 
the  following  morning.  On  Saturday  night,  it  was 
remarkably  pleasant  to  sit  by  a  country  fire,  while  the 
winds  of  winter  were  whistling,  and  everything  without 
was  in  a  state  of  frigidity.  But  there  had  been  at  the 
church  in  the  neighbourhood  a  thawing  glorious  revival, 
and  religion  was  the  theme.  There  was  but  little  else 
talked  about ;  and,  in  our  circle  that  night,  the  children 
were  absorbed  in  the  topic.  How  sweetly  did  they  sing  ! 
I  thought  of  the  hymn, 

"People  and  realms  of  every  tongue 
Dwell  on  his  love  with  sweetest  song, 
And  infant  voices  shall  proclaim 
Their  early  blessings  on  his  name." 

After  I  retired  to  my  room  for  the  night,  I  heard,  it 
appeared  to  me,  the  sweetest  song  to  which  I  ever 
listened,  led  by  a  happy  little  girl  about  six  years  of 
age.  The  chorus  was  to  me  then  perfectly  new.  I  was 
charmed  with  it.  I  was  drawn  down  stairs,  in  order  to 
have  it  repeated.  I  wanted  to  learn  the  tune  as  well  as 
the  words.     They  were  as  follows  : — 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  213 

Ask  the  prayers  of  children. 

"We  will  cross  the  river  of  Jordan, 
Happy,  happy. 
We  -will  cross  the  river  of  Jordan, 
Happy  in  the  Lord." 

Since  that  day,  when  my  hope  of  Heaven  has  been 
bright,  I  have  very  often  sung  that  little  song  of  Zion, 
which  I  learned  from  the  lips  of  that  little  saint.  The 
entire  family  of  children  won  on  my  feelings  very  much ; 
but  particularly  was  I  interested  in  this  juvenile  sweet 
singer  in  Israel.  When  I  parted  with  the  family,  not 
to  meet  again  soon,  if  ever,  as  I  had  noticed  the  children 
particularly  they  seemed  affected  at  parting.  I  said  to 
them,  "  Pray  for  Brother  Manship,  that  he  may  be  a 
faithful  minister  of  the  gospel."  Years  rolled  round; 
and,  while  I  was  labouring  in  the  city  of  Wilmington, 
one  day  I  met  Brother  G.,  the  father  of  these  children. 
I  inquired  for  the  family  in  general,  and  the  little 
songster  in  particular.  I  saw  the  tear  start  in  his  eye. 
He  remarked :  "  She,  poor  thing,  is  dead ;  but  she  died 
happy.  And  I  want  to  tell  you.  Brother  Manship,  from 
the  time  you  were  at  our  house  until  death,  she  regularly 
prayed  for  you  night  and  morning;  and  she  did  not 
forget  you  in  the  closing  scene ;  and  the  last  words  she 
distinctly  uttered  were  Lord  bless  Brother  MansJiip !'' 
I  was  deeply  affected,  and  could  weep  with  those  w^ho 
wept.  Brethren  in  the  ministry,  this  circumstance  has 
been  a  blessing  to  my  soul.     Shall  we    not   be  aided 


£14  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

The  Roman  Catholic  sister. 

greatly  in  our  work,  if  we  can  enlist  the  prayers  of  the 
children  of  our  charges  ? 

Readers,  we  all  think  it  would  be  an  excellent  thing 
to  have  Romanists  converted.  Do  we  not  sometimes 
adopt  wrong  means  to  accomplish  this  desirable  end  ?  I 
have  a  case  to  which  I  want  to  call  particular  attention. 
Through  kindness  a  bigoted  young  Irish  woman  was  led 
to  a  Methodist  church  in  the  neighbourhood  of  the  city 
of  Wilmington,  where,  in  the  providence  of  God,  I  was 
to  preach.  Rev.  John  B.  Maddux  had  charge  of  the 
meeting.  By  a  persuasive  manner,  this  young  woman 
was  led  to  the  mourners'  bench,  and  was  enabled  to  trust 
solely  upon  the  blood  of  Jesus  for  salvation.  We  made 
the  way  as  plain  to  her  as  we  could.  When  she 
experienced  the  blessing,  it  made  her  so  happy,  she 
thought,  how  glad  she  would  be  could  she  tell  it  to  her 
family  connexions  in  Ireland.  She  deeply  pitied  them. 
She  plainly  saw  they  v^ere  in  darkness.  She  resolved 
to  use  her  best  endeavours  to  be  faithful.  She  joined  the 
Union  Church  in  Wilmington.  The  condition  of  her 
sisters  pressed  heavily  upon  her  heart,  and  though  she 
was  poor,  she  was  very  industrious,  and  soon  saved 
enough  of  her  wages  to  import  her  sister  Eliza.  And 
soon  after  Eliza  landed  there,  the  Red  Lion  camp  meet- 
ing was  held.  She  was  there  one  day,  and  that  was 
much  longer  than  she  wanted  to  stay.  Pungent  con- 
viction seized  her  in  the  forenoon,  and  during  the  after- 


IN  THE   ITINERANCY.  215 

Can  do  better  with  religion. 

noon,  my  wife  has  informed  me,  she  was  in  the  back 
part  of  our  family  tent,  weeping  and  sobbing  greatly. 
My  wife  asked  her  "why  she  cried."  She  replied,  "I 
am  sick."  That  sickness  was  not  unto  death.  In  a  few 
months  afterwards,  the  deep  conviction  she  experienced 
there,  was  followed  by  a  powerful  conversion,  in  the 
basement  of  St.  Paul's  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
Her  sickness  was  cured  by  the  Heavenly  Physician. 
This  encouraged  Mary  (for  that  is  the  name  of  the  first 
convert)  to  send  as  soon  as  she  could  for  another  sister. 
And  Margaret  came,  and  had  not  been  with  her  sisters 
in  their  adopted  country  but  a  little  while  ere  she  felt 
the  efficacy  of  the  blood  of  Jesus.  The  third  sister  was 
sent  for.  She  was  older,  and  more  confirmed  in  her 
Romanism,  than  the  others  ;  but  they  are  all  praying  for 
her,  and,  although  they  find  it  a  most  difficult  case,  they 
expect  to  succeed.  If  they  do  not,  they  have  resolved  to 
send  her  hack.  But  I  have  not  the  least  doubt  they 
will.  For  the  last  time  I  heard  from  them-,  this 
unyielding  one  had  been  a  few  times  with  them  to  the 
Sabbath  School.     How  kind  the  Irish  people  are  one  to 

another  !    How  remarkably  afi*ectionate  has  Mary  R 

been  to  her  sisters,  since  her  conversion !  However 
good  a  person  may  be  without  religion,  with  it  they  are 
a  great  deal  better.  And  we  can  do  for  ourselves,  for 
others,  and  for  Christ,  what  a  person  in  an  unconverted 


216  THIRTEEN   YEAKS'    EXPERIENCE 

Not  Methodists  only  shout. 

state  cannot  do ;  for  it  is  written,  "  I  can  do  all  things 
through  Christ,  Which  strengtheneth  me." 

Although  I  had  a  plenty  of  work  to  do  at  home,  I 
sometimes  found  it  remarkably  pleasant  to  accept  invi- 
tations from  my  dear  brethren  in  the  ministry  to  attend 
protracted,  corner-stone  laying,  and  dedication  meetings. 
In  the  fall  of  1851,  a  deeply  interesting  meeting  was 
arranged  and  held  by  Rev.  Joseph  S.  Cook,  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood of  Goshen,  Lancaster  county.  Pa.  There  was 
a  corner-stone  of  a  new  Church  laid.  This  enterprising 
brother  had  seats  in  an  adjacent  grove,  and  a  stand  pre- 
pared, where  all  the  services  preparatory  to  the  laying 
of  the  corner-stone  took  place.  Several  brethren  in  the 
ministry.  Rev.  Pennel  Combe,  Rev.  William  L.  Gray, 
and  others,  participated.  I  was  greatly  assisted  by  the 
prayers  and  rejoicing  of  the  people  in  my  speech  on 
finance.  I  saw  there  that  day  a  lady,  while  I  was 
speaking,  in  the  rear  portion  of  the  congregation,  leap- 
ing and  praising  God.  It  made  no  little  stir  in  the  audi- 
ence. The  preacher  of  the  Circuit  said  to  me  in  a  low 
tone,  "Brother  Manship,  that  is  a  Presbyterian  lady  !" 
I  was  doubly  pleased  on  receiving  this  information.  I 
do  maintain  that  the  Christian,  whatever  may  be  his 
denominational  connexions,  has  a  right  to  shout.  And 
if  a  person  feels  like  leaping,  from  my  heart  I  say, 
Amen ! 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  217 

Dedication  at  Oxford,  Pa. 

**Hear  him,  ye  deaf;  his  praise,  ye  dumb, 
Your  loosened  tongues  employ  ; 
Ye  blind,  behold  your  Saviour  come, 
And  leap,  ye  lame,  for  joy." 

Especially  when  the  life  is  right.  I  had  good  evidence 
that  it  was  so  in  this  case.  For  no  sooner  was  the  call 
made  for  contributions  than  this  lady  and  her  husband 
came  forward  and  gave  to  this  noble  cause,  although 
they  were  members  of  another  communion.  As  it  was 
at  the  dedication  of  Solomon's  Temple,  so  it  seemed  to 
be  among  the  hosts  of  Israel  this  day.  ^'  It  came  even 
to  pass  as  the  trumpeters  and  singers  were  as  one  to 
make  one  sound  to  be  heard  in  praising  and  thanking 
the  Lord."  The  congregation  was  mixed,  several 
denominations  were  represented,  but  we  "were  as  one." 
On  the  first  day  of  Januar}^,  1852,  New  Year's  day, 
an  excellent  brick  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  was 
dedicated  by  Rev.  Francis  Hodson,  D.D.,  with  whom  I 
was  associated  in  the  labours  of  the  occasion,  in  Oxford, 
a  beautiful  village  in  Chester  county.  Pa.  This  place  has 
for  many  years  been  under  Presbyterian  influence,  and 
their  religious  training  has  been  according  to  the  usages 
of  that  Church.  Methodism  there  was  "  small  and  feeble,"" 
and  I  am  frank  to  confess  I  was  surprised  to  see  such  a 
large  and  respectable  church  edifice,  under  the  circum- 
stances. Too  much  praise  cannot  be  awarded  to  Rev. 
John  Thompson.  Though  a  young  man,  he  wisely  carried 
19 


218  THlilTEEN   years'    EXPERIENCE 

Rev.  Jonas  Bissey. 

this  enterprise  to  a  happy  completion.  He  met  with 
barriers,  but  trusted  in  God  and  moved  onward,  reading 
in  his  Bible,  ^'Bc  strong  and  courageous  ;  be  not  afraid 
nor  dismayed."  The  day  was  a  memorable  and  deeply 
interesting  one.  We  there  met  with  the  widow  and 
daughter  of  the  lamented  Rev.  Jonas  Bissey,  and  I 
should  be  derelict  to  duty  if  I  did  not,  in  connexion  with 
the  founding  of  this  Church,  refer  to  him.  It  was  this 
faithful  man  that  first  conceived  the  idea  of  building  a 
Methodist  Church  in  Oxford.  It  was  this  brother  who 
selected  the  lot,  and  bought  it  for  the  Church  with  his 
own  means,  humble  as  they  were.  And  not  only  at  this 
point  of  the  Circuit,  but  all  through  this  region  of 
country,  he  was  instrumental  in  converting  souls  to  God, 
by  scores  and  hundreds.  The  name  of  Jonas  Bissey  is 
written  on  many  hearts,  and  rolling  years  cannot  efface 
it.  There  never  was  a  minister  of  our  denomination 
or  any  other  that  had  more  weight  of  character  than 
this  burning  and  shining  light  in  that  part  of  the 
country.  My  readers  will  say,  how  mysterious  is  Pro- 
vidence, when  I  tell  them  that  just  as  this  ambassador 
of  the  skies  was  closing  a  sermon  from  ^'  But  to  do  good 
and  communicate  forget  not;  for  with  such  sacrifices 
God  is  well  pleased,"  and  while  a  storm  was  raging,  the 
muttering  thunder  and  the  vivid  lightning's  glare  being 
heard  and  seen  by  the  agitated  congregation,  to  their 
utter  dismay  they  saw  their  beloved  minister  fall  dead 


IN  THE   ITINERANrT.  219 

Killed  by  lightning. 

before  them  in  the  sacred  desk!!  A  ball  of  fire  or 
electricity  entered  the  building  just  over  the  pulpit,  and 
this  flash  of  lightning  or  thunderbolt  did  quickly  the 
work  of  death.  I  might  truly  say  that  the  God  who 
answers  prayer  sometimes  by  fire,  saw  fit  "to  send  a 
despatch  for  him,  and  telegraphed  him  home  to  the 
skies." 

He  fell  in  the  midst  of  his  spiritual  children  and 
warm  friends,  in  the  New  London  Cross  Roads  Methodist 
Episcopal  Churcli,  which  he  had  been  the  means  of  rear- 
ing, literally  and  spiritually.  It  was  my  privilege  to 
attend  his  funeral,  which  was  the  largest  one  I  ever  wit- 
nessed in  any  country  place  in  my  entire  life.  The 
spacious  parlours  of  Mr.  Seal's  Hotel  were  thrown  open  ; 
and  there  was  the  manly  form,  just  as  natural  as  when 
I  saw  him,  a  few  weeks  before  that,  at  a  camp  meeting, 
and  heard  him  preach  a  powerful  sermon,  from  "  Ye  must 
be  born  again."  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Seal  had  been 
brought  to  God  through  his  instrumentality.  This,  in  a 
measure,  accounted  for  their  great  kindness.  How 
strongly  are  we  attached  to  those  who  have  led  us  to  the 
Saviour ! 

Rev.  James  Smith,  Presiding  Elder  of  the  Wilming- 
ton District  at  that  time,  now  no  more,  delivered  a  very 
excellent  and  appropriate  sermon.  Never  did  I  see  more 
tears  shed  on  an  occasion  of  the  kind.  This  event, 
though  to  me  rather  incomprehensible,  I  firmly  believed 


220  THIRTEEN   years'    EXPERIENCE 

Rev.  James  Smith. 

at  the  time  would  be  the  means  of  bringing  many  to 
God  whom  ordinary  means  would  not  reach.  It  was 
said  of  Samson,  '^  So  the  dead  which  he  slew  at  his 
death  were  more  than  they  which  he  slew  in  his  life." 
Doubtless,  the  death  of  this  good  man,  under  such  cir- 
cumstances, has  accomplished  and  will  accomplish  glorious 
results. 

Rev.  Jonas  Bissey  had  in  Rev.  James  Smith  a  strong 
friend.  I  have  often  heard  the  latter  speak  in  strong 
terms  of  commendation  of  the  former ;  and  he  believed 
that  he  was  the  most  efficient  labourer  he  had  on  his 
district.  When  he  heard  of  his  death,  and  while  preach- 
ing his  funeral  sermon,  his  eyes  were  a  fountain  of  tears. 
He  was  then  advanced  in  life,  yet  the  circumstances 
inspired  him.  I  never  heard  such  a  sermon  from  Brother 
Smith.  And  the  hundreds,  if  not  thousands  who  were 
there,  will  remember,  at  the  close  of  the  sermon,  how 
sweetly  he  sung  his  favourite  hymn : — 

"  We  speak  of  the  realms  of  the  blest, 
Of  a  country  so  bright  and  so  fair, 
And  oft  are  its  glories  confessed  ; 
But  what  must  it  be  to  be  there ! 

♦'  Do  thou,  Lord,  midst  pleasure  or  woe, 
For  Heaven  our  spirits  prepare  ; 
And  shortly  we  also  shall  know — 
Shall  feel  what  it  is  to  be  there.'^ 

How  true,  in  his  case  !     During  the  succeeding  winter, 


IN    THE    ITINERANCr.  221 

Death  of  Rev.  James  Smith. 

his  health  failed;  and,  the  following  Conference,  the 
mournful  intelligence  was  brought  to  the  Conference- 
room  that  Rev.  James  Smith  was  dead !  He  soon  fol- 
lowed his  friend,  to  whom  allusion  has  been  made,  and 
in  whose  death  he  took  such  a  deep  interest.  It  may 
truly  be  said,  "  they  were  lovely  and  pleasant  in  their 
lives,  and  in  their  deaths  they  were  not  greatly  divided." 
They  have  experienced  "  what  it  is  to  be  there."  It  was 
my  privilege  to  be  in  the  sick-room  of  Brother  Smith. 
His  faith  was  strong  in  the  atonement.  The  last  time  I 
visited  him  and  prayed  with  him,  confiding  in  Christ,  he 
was  happy.  I  left  his  room  never  expecting  to  see  him 
alive  again.  I  also  left  ready  to  endorse  the  sentiment 
of  Young: — 

*'  The  chamber  where  the  good  man  meets  his  fate, 
Is  privileged  beyond  the  common  walk  of  virtuous  life — 
Quite  on  the  verge  of  Heaven." 

He  died  March  28,  1852.  His  funeral  discourse  was 
delivered  by  Rev.  Francis  Hodson,  D.  D.,  others  partici- 
pating. The  Annual  Conference,  being  in  sessiou, 
attended  in  a  body,  and  saw  their  aged  fellow-labourer 
consigned  to  the  tomb  in  Ebenezer  graveyard,  Philadel- 
phia. "We  sorrowed,  but  not  as  those  who  have  no  hope. 
We  had  "hope  in  his  death."  Some  of  his  last  expres- 
sions were,  "Hallelujah!"  "Hallelujah!!"  Glory!" 
"-Glory  !"  He  had  said  those  words  in  ecstasy  a  thou- 
19* 


222         THIRTEEN  YEARS'  EXPERIEXCE 


May  we  shout  in  death  ! 


Band  times  in  life,  and  it  ^yill  be  encouraging  to  his  friends 
to  know  that  he  could  from  a  full  heart  repeat  them  in 
death.  ^'Yea,  though  I  walk  through  the  valley  of  the 
shadow  of  death,  I  will  fear  no  evil :  for  thou  art  with 
me ;  thy  rod  and  thy  staff  they  comfort  me." 

"  Death  is  tlie  crown  of  life  ; 
Death  v?ounds  to  cure  !  we  fall,  we  rise,  we  reign !" 


CHAPTER  X. 

"  Wesleyan  Collegiate  Institute" — A  great  Disappointment— Professor 
Thomas  E.  Sudler — President  Loomis — A  Visit  to  Boston — Respect 
shown  to  General  Conference  by  the  City  Authorities— Honourable 
Daniel  Webster — Infidels  sometimes  hypocritical — "What  hath  God 
wrought?" — Rev.  Jesse  Lee — Old  Elm  Tree — Senate  Chamber — 
Bunker  Hill — Conflict  with  a  Pugilist — Enter  into  every  open  Door 
— "  Tormented  before  the  Time" — Rev.  Joshua  Thomas,  of  Tangier 
Island— Matilda  B. — "Do  justly" — Do  not  bear  false  witness 
against  thy  Neighbour — Captain  A.  perishes  at  Sea — A  Female 
publicly  financiering — Churches  ought  to  improve  as  well  as  other 
Things. 

IN  the  spring  of  1852,  my  appointment  was  to  the 
Agency  of."  The  Wesleyan  Female  Collegiate  Insti- 
tute," in  the  city  of  Wilmington;  therefore  I  was 
permitted  to  remain  another  year  in  this  exceedingly 
pleasant  place.  It  will  douhtless  be  borne  in  mind  by 
some  of  my  readers,  that  this  Institute  was  originally 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  223 

Rev.  Solomon  Prettyman. 

established  by  Rev.  Soloman  Prettyman,  in  1839 ;  and 
that  he,  by  his  great  energy,  made  it  one  of  the  first 
seminaries  of  the  kind  in  the  land.  Students,  from 
every  state  in  the  Union  almost,  poured  into  it.  Many 
graduated  there,  who  are  now  among  the  first  ladies  for 
intelligence  and  respectability  in  our  country. 

Mr.  Prettyman,  for  a  series  of  years,  was  a  great 
acquisition  to  the  city  of  Wilmington,  and  did  as  much 
as  any  other  man,  in  raising  the  standard  of  female 
education  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church ;  and  prac- 
tically demonstrated  that  woman  is  competent  for  high 
mental  acquirements.  He  was  a  native  of  Delaware, 
and,  in  the  way  of  enterprise,  one  of  her  noblest  sons. 
He  bent  his  energies,  not  only  to  advance  the  cause  of 
education,  but  to  improve  the  lower  counties  in  their 
agricultural  and  business  relations.  This  he  did  by 
originating  and  mainly  establishing  a  steamboat  line 
between  Lewistown,  in  Sussex  county,  and  Philadelphia. 
This  being  done,  the  advantages  to  that  part  of  the 
state  are  great.  A  market  for  all  kinds  of  produce  is 
brought  to  their  doors ;  sources  of  improvement  to  their 
lands,  placed  in  their  hands  ;  and  otherwise,  the  results 
have  been  greatly  beneficial.  To  this  gentleman,  conse- 
quently, the  community  owes  a  lasting  debt  of  gratitude. 
While,  however,  he  befriended  others  (and  this  must 
indeed  alFord  to  him  no  little  satisfaction),  it  is  to  be  deeply 
regretted,  that,  in  his  own  circumstances,  he  was  greatly 


224         THIRTEEN  YEARS'  EXPERIENCE 

Mr.  Prettyman  parts  with  "Wesleyan  Female  Collegiate  Institute. 

injured.  This  is  not,  however,  as  history  and  observa- 
tion demonstrate,  unfrequent  with  those  who  nobly  act 
as  benefactors  to  their  fellow  men. 

In  the  year  1852,  Mr.  Prettyman's  embarrassments 
became  so  great,  that  he  had  to  part  with  the  "Wesleyan 
Female  Collegiate  Institute,"  the  alma  mater  of  so  many 
interesting  young  ladies.  Notwithstanding  his  strenuous 
efforts  to  prevent  it,  it  was  sold  under  the  sheriff's  ham- 
mer. I  was  present  at  the  sale,  and,  although  I  am  not 
in  the  habit  of  being  in  bar-rooms,  that  day  I  was 
anxiously  looking  on,  to  see  into  whose  hands  the  Insti- 
tute would  fall.  It  was  generally  rumoured  that  the 
Koman  Catholics  would  be  the  purchasers,  and  convert  it 
into  a  nunnery,  orphans'  asylum,  or  something  else.  Mr. 
Prettyman  himself  was  apprehensive  that  this  would  be 
the  result.  The  bidding  commenced ;  many  of  the 
creditors  were  there,  anxiously  looking  on ;  now  and  then, 
fearing  and  trembling,  they  would  bid  a  little  more. 
They  were  in  a  strait  betwixt  two ;  they  wanted  it  run 
up  as  high  as  possible,  but  greatly  feared  it  would  be 
struck  off  to  them.  There  was  a  large  fine-looking  man 
present,  who  was  observed  occasionally  to  make  a  bid. 
Many  asked^^who  is  he?"  Some  supposed  te  was 
some  dignitary  of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church;  some 
entertained  one  idea,  and  some  another.  Finally  the 
sheriff,  without  knowing  who  he  was,  declared  him  tc  be 
the  purchaser,  he  having  given  the  highest  bid.  Rev.  S.  P., 


IN   THE    ITINERANCY.  225 


Professor  Thomas  E,  Sudler. 


with  tears,  said  to  liis  friends,  and  to  me  amongst  the  rest, 
"  The  Catholics  have  bought  it,  it  is  gone  for  ever."  And 
some  of  that  denomination  who  were  present,  seemed  much 
pleased  that  they  were  about  to  take  possession  of  a 
Methodist  Institiitmi.  Their  eyes  were  soon  opened, 
however,  and  their  ears  were  made  to  tingle  when  they 
heard  that  this  fine  priestly-looking  man  was  the  repre- 
sentative of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church !  Having 
been  connected  with  the  sheriff's  office,  in  the  city  and 
county  of  Philadelphia,  he  was  deemed  a  proper  person 
to  attend  to  this  sale,  and  purchase.  He  did  his  duty 
faithfully.     This  friend  was  Amos  Phillips,  Esquire 

Professor  Sudler  was  at  once  placed  at  the  head  of 
the  Institute.  The  professor  was  a  graduate  of  West 
Point;  occupied  a  professor's  chau^  for  a  number  of 
years  in  St.  John's  College  at  Annapolis,  and,  at  an 
earlier  period  of  life,  represented  his  native  county  in 
the  state  legislature,  honourably  to  himself,  and  to  his 
constituents.  He  came  to  the  presidency  of  the  Institute 
directly  from  Dickinson  College.  Eor  many  years  he 
had  filled  the  position  of  professor  there ;  and  as  he  was 
an  excellent  scholar,  a  gentleman  of  the  highest  style, 
and  a  faithful  Christian,  the  board  of  council  felt  san- 
guine, that  he  would  make  them  and  thd  Church  an 
efficient  principal.  He  served  one  year ;  it  was  doubt- 
less the  most  difficult  year  of  the  existence  of  the  insti- 
tution— a  time  that  tried  men's  souls.     In  addition  to 


226  TniRTEEN  years'  experience 

An  interesting  commencement. 

other  discouragements,  tlie  president  lost  an  amiable, 
accomplished  daughter,  which  was  a  great  stroke  to  him. 
She  was  the  light  of  his  life.  He  bore  up,  however, 
under  all  like  a  Christian  hero ;  and,  when  the  Annual 
Commencement  rolled  round,  there  never  was,  in  those 
''  classic  halls,"  more  interest.  There  was  one  who  that 
night  graduated  and  took  the  honours  of  her  class,  who, 
while  she  had  other  accomplishments  to  adorn  her,  sur- 
passed in  instrumental  and  vocal  music.  Miss  Bodine 
Bang,  I  will  sa}^,  now  that  she  sleeps  beneath  the  sward 
of  earth,  more  like  an  angel  than  a  human  being.  She 
died  happy.  How  mysterious  are  the  ways  of  Provi- 
dence ! 

At  the  close  of  this  deeply-interesting  Commence- 
ment, when  the  diplomas  were  awarded  to  the  graduating 
class,  Mr.  Sudler  delivered  one  of  the  most  eloquent  and 
touching  addresses  to  which  it  has  ever  been  my  privilege 
to  listen.  Many  a  tear  spontaneously  bedewed  the  cheeks 
of  almost  all  in  attendance.  He  remarked  to  the  stu- 
dents whom  he  was  leaving  :  ''  My  sun  is  setting ;  yours 
is  rising."  With  burning  words  he  closed  his  address. 
I  hesitate  not  to  say,  taking  everything  into  consideration, 
that  no  one  could  have  done  better  for  the  institution  the 
first,  which  was  the  most  difficult,  year — the  crisis  in  the 
history  of  the  Wesleyan  Female  Collegiate  Institute — 
than  Thomas  E.  Sudler,  A.  M. 

Rev.  George  Loomis,  A.M.,  was  chosen  as  his  sue- 


IN   THE    ITINERANCY.  227 

Rev.  George  Loomis,  A.  M. 

cesser,  a  graduate  of  "Wesley an  University."  For 
some  years  he  was  President  of  the  "  Genesee  Wesley  an 
Seminary,"  at  Lima,  New  York,  and  late  Chaplain  of 
the  "American  Seamen's  Friend  Society,"  in  Canton, 
China.  As  a  minister  he  is  competent  to  fill  any  of  the 
pulpits  of  the  land,  and  as  a  scholar  adequate  to  stand 
at  the  head  of  any  of  our  colleges.  This  gentleman, 
though  a  stranger  in  our  midst,  soon  won  for  himself 
universal  esteem  among  the  ministry  of  our  Church ; 
and,  although  he  speaks  among  his  pupils  as  "  one  having 
authority,"  his  urbane  manner  towards  them,  and  parental 
solicitude  for  their  welfare,  cause  the  young  ladies  to  be 
strongly  attached  to  him.  Having  at  its  head  such  a 
man,  and  being  assisted  by  highly  accomplished  teachers, 
the  "Wesleyan  Female  College"  has  become  second  to 
none  in  the  country ;  and  the  public  show  their  apprecia- 
tion of  it  by  filling  it  with  their  daughters. 

The  Philadelphia  Annual  Conference  has  taken  an 
interest  in  the  prosperity  of  this  institution  in  various 
ways.  For  two  successive  years,  agents  were  appointed. 
I  was  first  placed  in  this  position,  and  continued  for  one 
year.  I  did  not,  indeed,  accomplish  as  much  as  I  could 
have  desired ;  and  yet,  under  the  circumstances,  I  did 
the  best  I  could,  and  have  the  satisfaction  to  know  that 
the  year  was  not  entirely  a  blank. 

In  the  month  of  May,  I  visited  the  city  of  Boston. 
1  went  there   partly  at   the   instance  of  our  "Board 


228  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

Respect  shown  to  the  General  Conference. 

of  Council,"  on  business  appertaining  to  the  college, 
and  partly  to  enjoy  tlie  privilege  of  seeing  our  General 
Conference  in  session.  This  is  perhaps  second  to  no 
deliberative  body  in  the  world  for  sanctified  learning. 
The  impression  it  made  in  Boston  was  very  favourable 
to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  The  municipal 
authorities  of  that  city  showed  a  respect  to  this  body 
that  was  unprecedented.  They  invited  the  members  and 
visiters  to  take  an  afternoon  excursion  in  a  fine  steamer,  to 
visit,  in  and  about  the  harbour,  places  of  greatest  interest, 
particularly  one  of  the  forts.  The  repast  which  was  here 
served  up  was  truly  sumptuous.  The  Mayor  of  the  city, 
and  other  prominent  speakers  of  Boston,  welcomed  them 
to  the  hospitalities  of  the  city.  To  the  speeches  of  these 
gentlemen,  Bev.  John  A.  Collins  and  Bev.  John  Kenna- 
day,  D.D.,  replied,  on  behalf  of  the  Conference,  in  an 
able  though  impromptu  manner.  Everything  passed  off 
pleasantly.  This  body  was  also  invited  to  visit  Faneuil 
Hall,  the  cradle  of  liberty,  to  hear  a  speech  by  the  great 
statesman,  Daniel  Webster.  Seats  were  specially  reserved 
for  the  members  of  the  Conference.  And,  when  it  was 
proper,  the  orator  of  the  day  made  some  appropriate 
remarks  bearing  upon  the  Church  which  this  body  repre- 
sented. Said  he :  "It  has  been  remarked  truly,  ' Method- 
ism is  Christianity  in  earnest.'  I  have  not  been  an  idle 
spectator  of  the  movements  of  this  Christian  organiza- 
tion."    He  spoke  of  it  in  high  terms  of  commendation. 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  229 

Infidelity  hypocritical. 

as  a  pure  system  of  Christianity,  and  as  doing  much  for 
the  amelioration  of  the  condition  of  the  human  family. 
He  seemed  to  be  well  posted  in  Methodistical  language. 
He  quoted  the  words  of  Charles  Wesley,  referring  to  the 
perpetuity  of  Methodism :  "  Though  the  workmen  die, 
the  work  goes  on." 

It  speaks  well  for  the  Christian  religion  to  have  such 
a  bright  intellect  as  the  great  Webster  was  blessed  with, 
enlisted,  even  in  theory,  "  on  the  Lord's  side."  To  the 
relio;ion  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  he  clung;  in  the  hour 
of  his  dissolution.  If  such  men  as  Newton,  Locke, 
Chalmers,  Webster,  and  myriads  of  others  who  might 
be  named,  endorse  the  Bible,  and  the  religion  of  the 
meek  and  lowly  Jesus,  how  impudent  it  is,  for  pigmies 
in  science  and  reasoning  powers,  to  raise  the  hue  and 
cry  that  the  Bible  is  full  of  contradictions,  and  will  not 
bear  investigation ;  to  place  a  low  estimate  on  the 
Saviour  of  mankind,  and  to  say  of  the  ''  Mighty  God, 
the  everlasting  Father,  the  Prince  of  peace,"  in  the 
language  of  Infidelity,  "  Crush  the  wretch  !"  "  The  fool 
hath  said  in  his  heart.  There  is  no  God." 

There  are,  however,  a  great  many  who  profess 
Infidelity,  and  abhor  the  word  of  God,  who  are  con- 
summate hypocrites.  To  demonstrate  this,  I  will  mention 
a  case  or  two.  They  may  not  be  new,  however,  to  some 
of  my  readers.  "  There  were  two  persons  travelling  in 
the  west  on  a  collecting  tour.     To  some  extent  they  had 

20 


230  TIIIllTEEN   years'    EXPERIENCE 

Anecdote  of  the  travellers. 

been  successful.  One  of  them  was  a  professed  Infidel, 
the  otlicr  a  Christian.  It  Avas  requisite  when  nightfall 
came  on,  to  stop  at  a  house  that  looked  suspicious ; ,  and, 
before  they  took  up  their  abode  there,  they  entered  into 
an  arrangement,  which  they  deemed  prudent ;  viz.  while 
one  should  sleep  the  other  should  watch.  The  lot  fell 
upon  the  Infidel  to  be  wakeful  during  the  first  half  of 
the  night.  But  before  they  retired  to  their  humble  and 
rather  unsightly  room,  the  head  of  the  family  took  down 
from  a  shelf  an  old  copy  of  the  Bible,  that  looked  as 
though  it  had  been  studied  from  Genesis  to  Revelation, 
and  said  to  his  guests,  '  It  is  my  practice  to  read  a 
chapter  in  the  Bible  and  pray  every  night  before 
retiring.'  He  accordingly  read  in  a  solemn  manner. 
There  was  feeling  in  his  prayer.  The  travellers  imme- 
diately after  were  shown  to  their  place  of  rest.  The 
Christian  said  his  prayers  and  retired ;  and  only  a  few 
moments  elapsed  before  the  Infidel  followed  him  to  bed. 
The  Christian  man  said,  '  You  are  to  watch  the  fore 
part  of  the  night,  according  to  arrrangement.'  The 
Infidel  replied,  *  What  is  the  use  of  watching  here  ? 
There  is  no  danger  to  be  apprehended  in  such  a  place  as 
this,  where  the  Bible  is  read,  and  where  there  is  such 
praying  as  we  have  heard  here  to-night.'  " 

"  A  prominent  Infidel  gentleman  had  a  wife  who  was 
a  deeply  devoted  Christian  lady.  They  had  a  lovely 
daughter,  to  whom  they  were  strongly  attached.     The 


IN    THE    ITINERANCY.  231 

Believe  what  your  mother  says. 

father's  example  and  theory  had  been  of  such  a  character, 
as  to  impress  the  mind  of  the  young  lady  unfavourably 
towards  religion,  as  practised  and  taught  by  her  pious 
mother.  The  young  and  only  daughter  was  called  to  a 
sick-bed,  and  it  was  but  too  evident  that  she  must  die. 
She  was  not  prepared  for  tliis  critical  hour ;  her  mind 
was  naturally  much  distressed  in  view  of  going  before 
the  bar  of  God  in  her  sins.  Her  father  watched  the 
progress  of  the  disease  with  the  deepest  solicitude. 
However,  Infidelity  had  not  a  word  of  comfort  for  the 
dying  girl !  She  asked  her  father  in  great .  agitation, 
*  Which  must  I  believe,  father ;  what  you  or  what  my 
mother  has  taught  me  ?'  He  loved  his  daughter  fondly ; 
ay,  better  than  his  theory.  And  he  said,  'My  child, 
believe  what  your  mother  has  told  you.'  '  For  their  rock 
is  not  as  our  rock,  even  our  enemies  themselves  being 
judges.'  " 

From  what  has  already  been  said,  it  will  be  readily 
concluded  that  our  branch  of  the  Christian  Church  in 
this  city,  Boston,  occupies  a  prominent  place  in  the 
affections  of  the  people.  Our  churches  are  numerous, 
and  some  of  them  truly  magnificent.  I  saw  the  one, 
among  others,  which  our  people  purchased  of  the  Unir 
tarians.  I  was  informed  it  originally  cost  about  one 
hundred  tJioiisand  dollar^.  Our  people  bought  it  very 
low,  for,  I  was  told,  forty  tJwusand  dollars,  I  doubt 
not  but  the  change  will  redound  to  the  glory  of  God. 


232  THIRTEEN   years'    EXrERIENCE 

Origin  of  Methodism  in  Boston. 

"VYe  arc  all  ready  to  say,  wliile  considering  the  pro- 
minence of  Methodism  now  in  Boston,  "  What  hath  God 
wrought  ?"  Especially  when  we  recollect  that  in  1791, 
when  Bishop  Asbury  first  visited  that  place,  the  few 
friends  that  our  cause  had  were  so  destitute  of  energy, 
and  so  timorous,  that  the  venerable  Bishop  met  with  a 
very  cold  reception ;  so  much  so,  that  even  this  unflinch- 
ing man,  in  view  of  the  discouragements  thrown  in  his 
way  in  this  place,  says,  "  I  have  done  with  Boston  until 
we  can  obtain  a  lodging,  a  house  to  preach  in,  and  some 
to  join  us."  In  Lynn  he  was  cordially  received,  and 
this  faithful  man  seemed  to  be  inspired  with  the  pro- 
phetic spirit,  when  he  remarked,  "  Here  we  shall  make 
a  firm  stand,  and  from  this  central  point,  from  Lynn, 
shall  the  light  of  Methodism  radiate  through  the  state." 

No  place  in  New  England  seemed,  so  difficult  of  ac- 
cess as  Boston.  It  was  hard  here  to  plant  the  tree  of 
Methodism.  Rev.  Jesse  Lee  did,  perhaps,  more  than 
any  other  man  in  establishing  our  cause  in  this  place. 
He  could  not,  at  first,  procure  even  a  private  house  to 
preach  in.  A  school-house  was  procured,  but  the  de- 
spised sect  were  not  long  permitted  to  retain  possession 
of  it.  But  this  Apostle  of  Methodism  in  New  England 
repaired  to  the  Common,  stood  upon  a  table,  and  began 
to  sing  and  pray.  On\j  four  persons  w^ere  present  when 
he  commenced ;  before  he  concluded  he  supposed  he  had 
three  thousand  hearers!    The  next  Sabbath,  at  the  same 


IN    THE    ITINERANCY.  233 

First  Methodist  Church  in  Boston.  Rev.  Jesse  Lee. 

place,  the  number  of  hearers  was  greatly  increased. 
And  notwithstanding  the  strong  opposition  to  Method- 
ism, a  small  society  was  established,  which  has  grown  to 
be  very  formidable,  and  so  fulfilling  the  prediction  of 
Bishop  Asbury,  ''I  am  led  to  think  the  Eastern  Church 
will  find  this  saying  hold  true  in  regard  to  the  Method- 
ists:  '  I  will  provolce  you  to  jealousy  hy  a  ]j^ople  that 
ivere  no  people,  and  hy  a  foolish  nation  ivill  anger  you.' 
Says  the  Bishop,  "  They  have  trodden  upon  the  Quakers, 
the  Episcopalians,  the  Baptists — see,  now,  if  the  Me- 
thodists do  not  work  their  way." 

The  first  Methodist  chui^ch  was  built  in  Boston  in 
1795,  a  wooden  house,  forty-six  feet  long,  thirty-six  feet 
wide ;  and  I  am  pleased  to  state,  on  the  best  authority, 
that  a  good  portion  of  the  money  for  this  church  was 
sent  from  the  Eastern  Shore  of  Maryland,  from  Dela- 
ware, and  Philadelphia,  in  the  bounds  of  my  own  be- 
loved Conference.  And  it  may  be  pleasing  to  my  readers 
to  know  that  the  last  sermon  that  the  pioneer  of  Method- 
ism in  New  England  preached  was  within  our  bounds, 
on  the  Eastern  Shore  of  Maryland,  at  a  camp  meeting, 
and  that  the  remains  of  this  "thunderbolt  of  war"  in 
Israel's  army,  rest  in  my  own  native  (Caroline)  county, 
close  by  the  quiet  waters  of  the  romantic  Tuckahoe. 
Sleep  on,  and  take  your  rest ;  but  as  Christ  hath  risen, 
so  shall  ye  arise. 

Rev.  Jesse  Lee  and  the  fathers  "lie  by,  in  the  bo- 
20* 


234  THIRTEEN  years'  experience 

Anecdotes  of  Mr.  Lee. 

som  of  the  earth,  as  a  weary  pilot  in  some  well-sheltered 
crock,  till  all  the  storms  which  infest  this  lower  world 
are  blown  over ;  here  they  enjoy  safe  anchorage,  are  in 
no  danger  of  foundering  amidst  the  waves  of  prevailing 
iniquity,  or  of  being  shipwrecked  on  the  rocks  of  any 
powerful  temptation.  But  ere  long  we  shall  behold  them 
hoisting  their  flag  of  hope,  riding  before  a  sweet  gale  of 
atoning  merit  and  redeeming  love,  till  they  make,  with 
•  all  the  sails  of  an  assured  faith,  the  blessed  port  of  eter- 
nal life." 

Mr.  Lee  and  his  co-labourers  were  frequently  objects 
of  ridicule ;  but  it  often  happened  that  Mr.  Lee,  who 
was  a  shrewd  man,  and  seldom  at  a  loss  for  an  answer 
suitable  to  the  occasion,  would  fairly  outstrip  those  who 
were  disposed  to  make  light  of  his  learning  and  talents. 
On  a  certain  occasion  a  young  lawyer,  with  a  view  to 
puzzle  Mr.  Lee,  addressed  him  in  Latin ;  to  whom  he 
replied  in  German — a  language  not  understood  either  by 
the  speaker  or  his  friends,  who  were  anxiously  listening 
to  the  conversation.  "  There,"  said  a  gentleman,  who 
was  in  the  secret  of  the  lawyer's  intentions,  ''  the 
preacher  has  answered  you  in  Hebrew,  and  therefore  he 
must  be  a  learned  man." 

At  another  time,  some  lawyers  were  disposed  to  have 
some  amusement  at  the  expense  of  Mr.  Lee.  Said  they, 
"You  generally  preach  extemporaneously,  do  you  not?" 
To  which  Mr.  Lee  replied  in  the  affirmative.     "  Do  you 


[N   THE   ITINERANCY. 


Boston  Common,  The  old  Elm  Tree, 

not  often  make  mistakes?"  The  answer  was,  ^'Some- 
times it  is  likely  I  do."  "  Do  you  stop  to  correct  them  ?" 
Mr.  Lee  said,  "  That  depends  on  the  character  of  the 
mistake.  If  I  were  quoting  ^  all  liars  shall  have  their 
part  in  the  lake  which  burneth  with  fire  and  brimstone,' 
and  should  happen  to  mistake  and  say,  instead  of  '  all 
liars,'  all  lawyers!  I  should  suppose  it  so  near  the  truth 
that  I  should  not  feel  it  my  duty  to  stop  and  correct  the 
mistake."  They  found  that  Methodist  preachers  w^ere 
not  all  Know-Nothings. 

As  I  was  homeward  bound,  I  passed  through  the 
Boston  Common.  I  visited  the  old  Elm  Tree,  promi- 
nent in  the  history  of  the  Revolution,  and  on  that 
account  there  was  an  interest  in  it ;  but  it  was  more 
particularly  interesting  to  me  on  account  of  its  associa- 
tions with  the  introduction  of  Methodism  into  the  city 
of  Boston.  Under  its  foliage  Mr.  Lee  is  said  to  have 
preached  to  the  listening  multitudes,  as  I  have  before 
stated,  owing  to  the  fact  that  there  was  no  house  to  be 
had.  This  no  doubt  was  Providential:  many  more 
heard  the  Methodist  preacher  than  could  have  been 
seated  in  any  house  that  could  have  been  obtained. 
John  "Wesley  did  more  good  preaching  on  his  father's 
tombstone,  after  he  was  refused  the  Church,  than  he 
could  have  done  in  the  church  itself.  Persecution 
generally  results  in  the  good  of  the  cause  opposed. 
I  felt  a  desire  to  be  in  possession  of  a  piece  of  that 


236  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 


Woodman,  spare  that  tree. 


old  Elm  Tree,  and  I  hardly  knew  how  to  contrive  to  get 
it.  The  branches  were  too  high  for  me  to  reach,  being 
somewhat  like  Zaccheus,  low  of  stature.  I  set  my 
valise  erect,  and  then,  from  the  top  of  it,  made  a  suc- 
cessful spring,  obtained  a  piece  of  that  venerable  tree, 
but  fell  at  full  length  upon  the  ground,  greatly  to  the 
amusement  of  the  thousands  who  were  there  enjoying 
the  refreshing  breezes  of  a  sweet  May  evening.  The 
Boston  Common  is  a  place  of  great  resort.  I  was 
apprehensive  some  one,  who  did  not  appreciate  my 
feeling  relative  to  the  twig  from  this  notable  tree,  would 
reprove  me.     I  thought  of  the  verses, 

"Woodman,  spare  that  tree, 

Touch  not  a  single  bough, 
In  youth  it  sheltered  me. 

And  I'll  protect  it  now. 
'Twas  my  forefather's  hand 

That  placed  it  near  his  cot ; 
There,  woodman,  let  it  stand. 

Thine  axe  shall  harm  it  not. 

**  My  heart  strings  round  thee  cling. 

Close  as  thy  bai-k,  old  friend  ; 
Here  shall  the  wild  birds  sing, 

And  still  thy  branches  bend. 
Old  tree,  the  storm  still  brave, 

And,  woodman,  leave  the  spot, 
While  I've  a  hand  to  save, 

Thine  axe  shall  harm  it  not." 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  23T 

Senate  Chamber.  Bunker's  Hill.  Thrilling  incident. 

I  was  permitted  to  be  present  in  the  Senate  Cliambei 
of  Massachusetts,  when  the  original  Prohibitory  Liquor 
Law  in  that  state  passed.  There  were  many  frowning 
faces,  as  well  as  cheerful  countenances,  at  the  result. 
This  seemed  to  me  to  be  a  dignified  body,  and  I  judge, 
from  this  very  vote,  that  they  are  lovers  of  good  order 
and  sound  morals.  The  fact  is,  they  could  have  given 
me  no  better  evidence  that  they  are  patriots  and  phi- 
lanthropists, in  the  truest  sense  of  the  word. 

I  visited  Bunker's  Hill,  located  in  this  city.  I  was 
in  the  high  monument,  and  had  a  fine  view  of  the  city. 
I  thought  of  the  horrible  battle  that  was  here  fought  in 
the  Revolution.  I  saw  some  of  the  ordnance  that  were 
used  on  that  bloody  occasion. 

While  musing  upon  surrounding  circumstances,  I  was 
led  to  think  of  a  thrilling  incident  which  was  connected 
with  that  memorable  battle.  I  take  this  incident  from 
one  of  Bishop  Morris'  sermons.  "A  man  by  the  name 
of  John  Randon  fell  in  this  battle.  He  belonged  to 
the  British  line,  and  after  receiving  his  death-wounds, 
wrote  a  letter  to  his  wife  in  England,  which  he  com- 
menced thus :  ''  Before  these  lines  reach  you,  grim 
death  will  have  swept  me  off  the  stage  of  life,  and 
filthy  reptiles  will  be  feeding  on  that  form  once  so  dear 
to  thee.  Yesterday  we  had  a  bloody  and  obstinate 
fiofht.  I  received  two  balls,  and  am  now  so  weak  from 
the  loss  of  blood,  that  I  can  hardly  write  these  few 


238  THIRTEEN   years'    EXPERIENCE 

Camp  meeting  near  Millersburg,  Pa. 

lines,  as  the  last  tribute  of  my  unchanging  love  to  thee. 
jChe  surireons  inform  me  that  three  hours  will  be  the 
utmost  I  can  survive."  And  after  narrating  his  voyage, 
his  conversion  by  the  instrumentality  of  a  Methodist 
soldier,  expressing  his  wishes  respecting  his  business, 
and  giving  his  dying  advice  at  length  to  his  wife  and 
children,  he  closed  with  these  memorable  words  :  "  More 
would  I  say,  but  life  ebbs  out  apace.  My  senses  cease 
to  perform  their  office.  Bright  angels  stand  around  the 
gory  turf  on  which  I  lie,  ready  to  escort  me  to  the  arms 
of  Jesus.  Bending  saints  reveal  my  shining  crown,  and 
beckon  me  away.  Yea,  methinks  my  Jesus  bids  me 
come.     Adieu!  adieu!  adieu !"  and  soon  expired. 

Tor  the  first  time  in  my  life,  being  the  agent  of  the 
college,  I  visited  some  of  the  more  Northern  Circuits. 
My  visit  to  Dauphin  county  was,  to  me,  deeply  inter- 
esting. Reaching,  however,  the  camp  meeting  near 
Millersburg,  in  that  county,  was  attended  with  some 
difficulty.  I  had  the  company  of  two  young  ministers. 
Opposite  to  Millersburg  we  were  under  the  necessity  of 
crossing  the  Susquehanna  river  in  a  little  boat.  We 
were,  on  arriving  in  the  canal  boat  at  this  point,  invited 
to  take  passage  with  a  man  that  had  not  signed  the 
pledge,  or  if  he  had,  we  were  inclined  to  think  he  had 
broken  it,  yet  we  resolved,  if  we  could  not  do  better,  to 
go  with  him.  The  kind-hearted  preachers  of  the 
Circuit,  however,  knowing  that  we  were  coming,  had 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  239 


Enraged  ferryman  conquered. 

sent  a  young  man,  with  instructions  to  convey  us  over. 
We  left  the  former  ferryman,  and  went  according  to 
instructions.  This  greatly  offended  our  anti-temperance 
friend,  and  he  threatened  to  turn  our  boat  over,  pur- 
sued us  closely,  and  our  helmsman  was  a  little  timorous. 
He  worked  manfully,  however,  and  kept  considerably 
ahead  of  our  pursuer,  and  landed  us  on  the  Dauphin 
shore  safely,  and  with  all  despatch  made  for  his  moor- 
ings. Up  to  this  time  we  had  said  nothing  to  him  ;  but 
now,  fearing  that  he  would  carry  his  threats  into  execu- 
tion, and  perhaps  maltreat  the  young  man  who  had  so 
generously  served  us,  I  felt  it  my  duty  to  say  to  his 
pursuer,  "  You  should  not  molest  that  young  man,  he 
has  only  done  his  duty  in  bringing  us  over ;  there  is  no 
occasion  for  you  to  wish  to  injure  him."  Then  using  a 
horrible  oath,  he  exclaimed,  "  If  you  take  it  up,  I  will 
flog  you!"  His  boat  was  brought  nearly  to  the  shore 
where  I  was  standing.  Coat  off,  sleeves  rolled  up,  he 
leaped  into  the  water,  and  made  towards  me.  I  was 
perplexed ;  my  companions  had  passed  on  ahead ;  he 
evidently  had  fight  in  him ;  he  was  an  athletic  man.  I 
was  not  able,  had  I  been  pugilistic  in  my  feelings,  to 
meet  such  a  stout  man.  In  an  instant  it  occurred  to 
me,  to  "fight  him  with  spiritual  weapons!"  I  said 
sternly  and  with  emphasis,  "  Come  on,  I  am  ready  for 
you  in  the  name  of  the  God  of  battles.  I  have  put  on 
the  whole  armour  of  God,  I  am  able  to  stand  against 


240  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

The  weapons  of  our  warfare  are  spiritual. 

the  wiles  of  the  devil.  Come  on !  come  on  ! !"  Said 
he,  "  Who  are  you,  and  where  did  you  come  from  ?"  I 
replied,  "I  am  a  soldier  of  the  cross;  I  fight  not  with 
carnal  but  spiritual  weapons ;  I  have  the  shield  of  faith, 
wherewith  I  am  able  to  quench  the  fiery  darts  of  the 
wicked ;  I  use  the  sword  of  the  Spirit,  praying  always 
with  all  prayer.  I  will  conquer  you  ;  come  on ;  get  down 
here  on  this  river  shore ;  I  will  pray  God  to  have  mercy 
on  your  soul ;  and,  in  this  whole  conflict,  I  will  not  hurt 
a  hair  on  your  head."  He  retreated  to  his  little  boat 
^'  speechless,"  and  I  went  on  my  way  rejoicing,  without 
being  the  least  injured  in  my  person  by  this  Susque- 
hanna bully.  *'They  shall  not  hurt  nor  destroy  in  all 
my  holy  mountain." 

The  camp  meeting  was  upon  an  "  exceeding  high 
mountain."  It  was  well  managed  by  the  preacher  in 
charge.  Rev.  John  Cummings — the  Presiding  Elder  being 
under  the  necessity  of  leaving  to  meet  other  engage- 
ments. There  were  not  many  converted;  yet  it  was 
not  altogether  in  vain.  God's  people  were  revived,  and 
I  can  truly  say,  I  had  my  own  spiritual  strength 
renewed.  From  that  meeting  I  went  into  the  town  of 
Halifax,  the  principal  appointment  on  that  Circuit.  1 
rode  with  a  good  local  preacher,  by  the  name  of  Singer. 
He  was  not  only  a  Singer,  but  he  was  a  great  shouter. 
He  is  one  of  the  pillars  of  the  church  in  that  place. 
That  day,  as  we  rode  along  the  road,  we  came  to  a  large 


IN  THE   ITINERANCY.  241 

Warned  a  rich  man. 

house  by  the  way-side.  He  remarked,  "A  rich  man 
lives  there ;  he  is  a  very  wicked  man ;  he  had  recently  a 
very  loud  call,  which,  I  did  hope,  would  lead  him  to 
repent  and  be  converted.  Under  that  tree,"  pointing 
to  an  apple-tree  near  the  road,  *'  he  had  two  sons,  who 
had,  in  the  time  of  a  thunderstorm,  taken  shelter,  and 
they  were  struck  by  lightning,  instantly  killed,  and 
carried  lifeless  corpses  to  their  father's  house."  It  was 
impressed  on  my  mind,  It  is  my  duty  to  stop,  and  warn 
this  family  to  prepare  for  death ;  and  I  thought  I  would 
take  for  my  text  the  circumstance  in  God's  Providence 
just  related  to  me.  My  friend  doubted  whether  this 
would  be  acceptable ;  he  did  not  know  but  that  we  should 
be  ordered  out  of  the  house.  I  told  him  positively,  "In 
the  strength  of  the  Lord"  I  was  going.  He  kindly  con- 
sented to  accompany  me.  We  entered.  I  said  to  the 
rich  man,  "I  am  a  preacher  of  the  Gospel,  have  just 
heard  of  the  calamity  you  have  experienced,  and  have 
come  to  warn  you  and  your  family  to  prepare  for  death. 
I  shall  never  see  you  again  till  I  meet  you  at  the  bar 
of  God."     I  then  gave  out  the  hymn, 

**  God  moves  in  a  mysterious  way." 

While  this  solemn  hymn  was  being  sung,  the  old  gentle- 
man and  his  wife  also  were  very  much  wrought  upon ; 
they  trembled,  tears  flowed  freely.  By  this  time,  many 
returning  from  the  camp  meeting,  and  otherwise 
21  . 


242  THIRTEEN  YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

Rev.  John  Cummings. 

travelling  the  road,  halted,  so  that  Tve  had  a  house 
full ;  many  vehicles  and  horses  were  seen  all  round  the 
premises.  "We  went  to  prayer;  the  old  people  cried 
aloud  for  mercy;  God's  people  shouted  for  joy.  After 
praying,  exhorting,  and  singing  there,  some  hour  or  two, 
we  bade  them  adieu ;  they,  however,  promising  by  God's 
help  that  they  would  meet  us  in  a  better  world.  It  can 
be  said,  I  think,  with  much  truthfulness,  "This  day 
is  salvation  come  to  this  house."  It  was  a  great  cross 
for  me  to  pursue  the  course  I  did,  yet  I  am  glad  I  did 
it ;  I  was  blessed  in  the  deed.  The  man  of  that  house 
has  since  been  called  out  of  the  world.  I  hope  he  was 
saved,  "  yet  so  as  by  fire."  Should  not  the  minister  of 
the  Gospel  be  as  "bold  as  a  lion?" 

In  the  town  of  Halifax  I  found  a  magnificent  brick 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  the  finest  building  in  the 
place,  an  honour  to  Methodism.  Rev.  John  Cummings 
felt  it  his  duty  there  to  use  his  efi'orts  to  get  the  great 
evil  of  ardent  spirits  removed  from  the  town.  He  con- 
sidered some  of  the  hotels  nuisances,  and  being  sustained 
by  some  leading  temperance  men,  energetically  prose- 
cuted this  matter,  until  they  succeeded  in  getting, 
during  his  administration  there,  every  bar  closed  in  that 
place,  and  each  man's  license  taken  from  him.  There 
was  an  efibrt,  however,  made  to  have  them  restored. 
The  tavern-keepers  came  before  the  court,  with  their 
lawyer,  to  plead  for  the  cause  of  alcohol.     The  preacher 


IN  THE  ITINERANCY.  243 

His  efforts  to  suppress  intemperance. 

Paul-like,  "reasoned  of  temperance,"  and  outreasoned 
the  lawyer,  and  the  court  decided  against  the  tavern- 
keepers  of  Halifax.  This  investigation  lasted  tlu-ee 
days.  It  seems  they  were  "tormented  before  the  time" 
that  prohibition  came  to  pass ;  and  when  I  was  there, 
actually  as  far  back  as  1853,  they  had  the  Maine  law  in 
practical  operation.  This  Methodist  preacher  was  a 
target  for  this  class  to  hurl  their  darts  at.  They  wrote 
him  anonymous  letters,  and  threatened  to  cowhide  him. 
He  bravely  told  them,  "  I  don't  care  for  a  whole  regiment 
of  you."  They  burnt  him  in  effigy  before  his  door. 
But  this,  bad  as  it  was,  was  better  than  literally  to  burn 
up  the  people  with  their  liquid  fire !  The  point  was 
gained.  One  of  them  undertook  to  sell  without  license  ; 
the  preacher  gave  him  no  rest ;  he  was  fined  fifty-five 
dollars.  He  found  this  an  unprofitable  business.  Thus 
this  brother  prevented  a  multitude  of  sins,  and  the  town 
was  completely  changed;  and  ere  that  brother's  time 
expired  among  them,  they  could  but  see,  he  is  our  friend, 
he  is  a  benefactor.  The  pulpit  should  generally  be 
arrayed  against  this  evil.  All  good  people  should 
heartily  enlist  in  this  great  cause,  and 

"Make  the  temperance  aniiy  strong: 
And  on  to  victory." 

We  should  preach  sermons  on  this  evil  that  has  slain 


244  THIRTEEN  YEARS*   EXPERIENCE 

Deal's  Island  camp  meeting.  Rev.  Joshua  Thomas. 

its  thousands — destroying  both  soul  and  body  in  hell. 
We  should  pray  in  our  pulpits,  families,  and  closets, 

**  Hasten,  Lord,  the  liappy  day, 
When  beneath  the  gentle  ray. 
Temperance  all  the  world  shall  sway, 
And  reign  triumphantly." 

This  summer,  I  was  not  only  in  the  northern,  but,  at 
least  to  some  extent,  also  in  the  southern  portion  of  the 
Conference.  In  company  with  Rev.  John  C.  Thomas, 
agent  of  "Dickinson  College,"  I  attended  a  camp 
meeting  on  Deal's  Island.  The  agents,  both  of  the 
Female  and  Male  College,  had  cause  to  think  that  this 
people  appreciate  education.  I  know  not  how  many 
scholarships  my  worthy  colleague  disposed  of,  but  I  can 
positively  say,  this  people  did  nobly  for  the  "  Wesley  an 
Female  College." 

There  was  to  me  a  very  interesting  personage  in 
attendance  at  that  camp  meeting,  of  whom  I  must  speak 
at  some  length.  I  allude  to  Rev.  Joshua  Thomas.  Upon 
being  introduced  to  him,  I  was  ready  to  say,  "  I  have 
heard  of  thee  by  the  hearing  of  the  ear,  but  now  mine 
eye  seeth  thee."  I  found  him  very  old,  rather  helpless, 
travelling  from  his  tent  to  the  preacher's  stand  in  a 
small  four-wheeled  carriage,  drawn  by  his  friends,  after 
he  was  assisted  in  taking  his  seat.  But  he  "  was  strong 
in  faith,  giving  glory  to  God."  I  had  much  conversation 
with  him,  and  found  him  an  uncommonly  interesting  man. 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  245 

Preaches  to  the  British. 

He  was  brought  up  in  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Cliurcli, 
and  did  not  get  among  the  Methodists  till  1807.  In  the 
summer  of  this  year,  he  attended  two  camp  meetings, 
one  in  Virginia,  and  one  in  Maryland ;  at  the  last  of 
which  he  fully  gave  his  heart  to  God.  He  at  once  began 
to  labour  on  Tangier  Island,  in  the  Chesapeake  Bay, 
where  he  resided.  His  meetings  would  hold  frequently 
all  day  on  the  Sabbath.  Two  local  preachers,  hearing 
of  the  work,  went  over  with  their  tent,  and  laboured  with 
the  islanders.  Many  were  converted.  This  was  the 
beginning  of  the  great  camp  meetings  on  that  island ; 
to  which  thousands,  if  not  tens  of  thousands,  from 
various  parts,  resorted.  The  British  took  possession 
of  this  island  in  1813,  and  Rev.  Joshua  Thomas  and  all 
his  people  were  prisoners.  He  was  much  respected  by 
the  Admiral  and  the  whole  army,  and  preached  to  them 
just  before  they  made  their  attack  on  Baltimore.  He 
had  probably  twelve  thousand  hearers  I 

For  an  account  of  this  service,  I  am  indebted  to  the 
manuscript  of  the  late  Bev.  Levin  M.  Prettyman,  which 
was  kindly  furnished  me  by  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Mary 
Ridgeway.  "  They  were  all  drawn  up  in  a  solid  column 
under  the  pines  of  the  old  camp  ground,  which  was  the 
centre  of  the  British  camp.  I  stood  on  a  stage  at  one 
end  of  the  column,  all  the  men  facing  me,  and  an  officer 
on  my  right  and  left.  I  never  had  such  feelings  in  my 
life.  I  was  determined  to  give  them  a  faithful  warning, 
21* 


246  '        THIRTEEN   YEAHS'    EXrERIEXCE 

Warus  them  against  an  attack  on  Baltimore. 

and  did  not  know  but  that  the  oiOGicers  would  cut  me  in 

pieces  for  it.     After  singing  and  prayer,  I  began  to  feel 

better ;  and  soon  all  fear  was  taken  away  from  me,  and 

I  warned  them  of  the  wickedness  of  killing  men,  and 

told  them  that,  if  they  were  going  to  Baltimore  to  take 

it,  they  could  not  do  it,  and  they  might  prepare  to  die. 



When  the  battle  was  over,  I  saw  them  coming  back.     I 

went  down  to  meet  them.  The  first  officers  I  met,  I  asked 
if  they  had  taken  Baltimore  ?  They  said,  No,  but  hun- 
dreds of  our  men  have  been  slain ;  it  turned  out  just  as 
you  told  us  the  Sunday  before  we  left.  "We  have  had  a 
bloody  battle ;  and,  all  the  time  we  were  fighting  in  the 
field,  we  thought  of  what  you  .told  us.  You  seemed  to 
be  right  before  us,  still  warning  us  against  the  attempt 
to  take  Baltimore."  This  good  man  was  much  respected 
by  the  British,  and  had  great  influence  with  the  officers. 
The  soldiers  were  cutting  down  the  trees  where  the  camp 
meetings  were  held.  Brother  Thomas  told  the  Admiral 
they  were  the  Lord's  trees,  and  under  them  hundreds  had 
been  converted,  and  he  hoped  hundreds  more  would  be, 
after  peace  was  declared;  and  he  wanted  him  to  have 
them  protected.  This  was  promptly  attended  to.  In 
1815,  in  the  month  of  January,  there  was  great  rejoicing 
in  the  camp ;  the  islanders  could  not  tell  what  it  meant. 
Soon,  however,  some  of  the  officers  rod^  up  to  Mr. 
Thomas's  house,  crying  out,  with  joy,  "  0 !  Parson 
Thomas,  there's  peace  !  there's  peace  !"     The  ship  was 


IN   THE   ITINERAXCT.  247 

Brother  Thomas  a  great  stouter. 

seen  down  the  bay,  the  flag  of  peace  flying  at  her  mast. 
"We  shall  have  no  more  war." 

I  found  Brother  Thomas  a  great  man  to  shout.  A 
few  years  before  my  interview  with  him,  at  a  camp  meet- 
ing he  was  lodging  with  his  brethren  in  the  ministry. 
One  of  the  number  was  powerfully  blessed  in  the  night 
season ;  he  sung  and  shouted,  and  every  one  felt  that 
sainted  man,  Rev.  W.  S.,  had  a  good  right  to  do  so. 
Rev.  Joshua  Thomas  awoke  and  said,  "  Brother  S.,  you 
understand"  (this  was  a  great  expression  with  him) 
"you  are  not  going  to  beat  me;"  and  he  deliberately 
went  at  it  with  all  his  might  and  main.  I  tried  to 
preach  and  exhort  several  times  at  the  camp  meeting  on 
Deal's  Island,  in  the  summer  of  1853,  where  I  first  met 
with  this  brother.  I  suppose  I  was  animated  and 
inclined  to  enjoy  myself,  as  the  Lord  seemed  to  direct. 
He  would  sit  and  praise  God,  and  say,  "  I  have  seen 
the  day  when  I  could  outshout  you — I  only  wish  I  was 
young  once  more."  There  was  a  peculiarity  about  his 
shouting,  and  an  unction  that  attended  it.  Cases  could 
be  given  of  powerful  conviction,  brought  about  in  this 
way,  when  other  means  had  proved  unavailing.  He  was 
an  eccentric  man,  but  accomplished  a  vast  amount  of 
good.  On  a  certain  occasion,  he  had  business  with  a 
court-house  officer  in  one  of  the  counties  of  the  Eastern 
Shore  of  Maryland.  It  was  a  small  matter,  not  suffi- 
cient in  the  estimation  of  the  kind-hearted  officer  to 
make  a  charge  for.     Mr.  Thomas  asked,  "  What  is  the 


248  THIRTEEN   years'    EXPERIENCE 

The  big  canoe.  Brother  Thomas's  death. 

charge?"  The  officer  said,  "Mr.  Thomas,  we  charge 
you  nothing  but  an  interest  in  your  prayers."  Mr. 
Thomas  said,  "  I  don't  like  to  be  in  debt ;  let  us  pray  ;" 
and  knelt  down  on  the  office  floor,  and  devoutly  invoked 
God's  blessing  on  the  gentleman,  who  was  not  a  religious 
man.  He  became  from  that  time  concerned  for  religion, 
and  afterwards,  like  his  father  in  Israel,  who  so  ear- 
nestly prayed  for  him,  became  a  most  ardent,  faithful 
member  of  the  Meth-odist  Episcopal  Church.  Brother 
Thomas  was  greatly  attached  to  the  ministers.  His 
house  was  always  a  home  for  them ;  it  affi^rded  him  great 
pleasure  to  take  them  from  island  to  island  in  his  canoe, 
called  ''  Old  Methodist.''  To  enable  them  to  itinerate 
and  meet  their  appointments  every  two  weeks,  "  Old 
Methodist^''  with  Captain  Thomas  at  her  helm,  would 
sail  some  thirty  miles.  This  rough  craft,  made  of  a 
solid  tree,  and  very  large,  has  borne  many  a  valuable 
cargo.  Not  a  few  who  have  sailed  thus  with  their  Sa- 
viour beneath,  have  reached  the  harbour  of  glory,  and 
Brother  Thomas  now  in  their  number ;  they 

"  Have  crossed  o'er  the  stream,  and  have  reached  the  bright  coast." 

He  died,  as  he  lived  for  nearly  fifty  years,  a  witness 
that  the  blood  of  Jesus  can  save  to  the  uttermost.  In 
his  declining  years,  he  always  manifested  his  love  to  the  ^ 
ministers  on  parting,  by  getting  them  to  kneel  down  at 
his  feet,  and  by  praying  over  them,  and,  in  a  most 
solemn  manner,  laying  his  hands  on  their  heads.     When 


IN  THE  ITINERANCY.'  249 


Death  of  a  student  of  the  Wesleyan  Female  College. 

Brother  John  C.  Thomas  and  myself  left  that  camp 
meeting,  we  received  before  leaving,  his  blessing.  We 
did  not  perhaps  feel  more  solemn  when  we  were  together 
ordained  to  the  order  of  Deacon  or  Elder  in  the  Church 
of  God.  Rev.  Joshua  Thomas  was  eminently  useful  on 
the  islands  and  elsewhere  in  the  region  where  he  lived. 
When  I  saw  him  he  was  "old  and  grayheaded,"  but 
God  had  not  forsaken  him.  His  children  were  devoted 
to  him,  and,  like  Demetrius,  he  had  "  good  report  of  all 
men,  and  of  the  truth  itself." 

In  the  autumn  of  the  year,  one  of  the  flowers  of  the 
"Wesleyan  College"  was  found  to  be  fading;  and  it 
was  soon  evident  to  us  all,  that  "Matilda"  must  die. 
This  was  a  severe  trial  to  us  all ;  for  we  all  loved  her : 
she  was  buoyant,  amiable,  and  intellectual.  She  was  away 
from  her  paternal  home ;  but,  I  can  testify,  that  every- 
thing was  done,  and  done  cheerfully  and  tenderly,  that 
could  have  been  done,  even  in  her  own  sweet  home.  I 
frequently  visited  her  in  her  death-sickness.  I  felt  it 
my  duty  to  pay  special  attention  to  her ;  I  knew  her 
parents  well ;  spent  many  happy  hours  at  her  father's 
house,  in  the  first  year  of  my  itinerancy ;  I  was  the 
means^  of  her  going  to  the  college ;  she  accompanied  me 
from  her  home  to  Wilmington  in  order  to  enter  the 
college.  Only  a  few  months  rolled  round  ere  it  was  my 
painful  duty  to  accompany  her  back.  It  was,  however, 
only  the  body  that  was  taken  back ;  the  intellectual  part 
that  promised  so  much,  the  soul,  had  "  returned  to  God 


250  THIRTEEN   years'    EXPERIENCE 

Funeral  of  Miss  B- 

who  gave  it."  The  little  company,  some  of  her  relatives 
and  myself,  travelled  all  night  with  the  corpse ;  and  just 
as  the  sun,  on  a  beautiful  Sabbath  morning,  was  begin- 
ning to  gild  the  heavens,  we  reached  what  once  had 
been  Matilda's  home.  The  wailings  of  the  mother  I 
cannot  forget;  the  tears  of  the  feeling  father  I  saw 
copiously  flowing.  I  told  them  all  the  circumstances 
connected  with  the  case.  They  were  satisfied,  and 
cheered  themselves  with  the  thought,  "Although  the  child 
cannot  come  to  us,  we  can  go  to  her."  Arrangements 
were  made  for  the  funeral  to  take  place  on  Monday 
morning.  The  attendance  was  very  large.  I  was  called 
upon  to  preach  the  sermon.  The  text  was,  "  The  Lord 
gave,  and  the  Lord  hath  taken  away;  blessed  be  the 
name  of  the  Lord."  Many  reasons  were  assigned  why 
we  should,  under  such  circumstances,  bless  "  the  name 
of  the  Lord;"  and,  among  the  rest,  I  took  the  ground, 
that  God  in  his  wisdom  takes  some  to  Heaven ;  those, 
too,  that  we  think  we  can  least  part  with ;  and  by  their 
death,  surviving  friends  are  won  to  Jesus.  I  stated 
to  the  congregation,  that  the  death  of  this  young  girl 
who  clung  to  the  cross  of  Christ  and  died  in  peace, 
would  produce  results  in  the  Wesleyan  College,  where 
she  was  so  generally  esteemed,  that  the  most  eloquent 
preaching  would  not  accomplish.  Before  we  left  Wil- 
mington, the  corpse  was  brought  into  the  largest  room 
connected  with  the  property,  and  an  appropriate 
address  delivered,  by  Rev.  Francis  Hodson,  D.  D.,  to 


IN  THE  ITINERANCY.  251 

"  Steer  this  way,  father." 

the  numerous  students.  Doubtless,  great  good  was 
done ;  iropressious  made,  deep  and  abiding ;  many  vows 
made ;  and  one  after  another,  they  took  their  leave  of 
Matilda  Bailey,  dropping  affection's  tear,  and  imprinting 
a  kiss  upon  the  pallid  cheek,  with  the  determination, 
"We  will  meet  our  classmate  in  bright  glory."  While 
I  was  dwelling  on  this  topic  in  the  way  of  illustration,  I 
related  an  incident  that  I  had  recently  read  in  some 
religious  journal,  in  substance  as  follows  :  "  A  father  and 
his  two  children  were  rambling  by  the  side  of  a  river 
for  pleasure  and  recreation.  The  father  ventured  on 
the  river  in  a  little  boat,  leaving  his  children  on  the 
beach.  After  he  had  gone  some  distance  from  the 
shore,  a  storm  suddenly  arose,  the  fog  and  gloom  were 
intense,  the  river  began  rapidly  to  swell  and  overflow  its 
banks.  This  truly  was  a  distressing  hour.  The  father 
felt  great  apprehension  not  only  for  himself,  but  also  for 
his  children.  It  was  dark,  he  did  not  know  which  way 
to  row  his  boat,  he  feared  he  would  be  lost,  and  his 
children  also  find  a  watery  grave.  In  this  critical  hour 
he  heard  a  voice — '  Steer  this  way,  father !'  It  was 
the  excited  voices  of  his  children.  The  shore  was 
reached,  all  were  safe.  Only  a  few  weeks  thereafter, 
both  the  children  were  taken  ill  and  departed  this  life ; 
they  were  buried  side  by  side  in  the  cold  grave.  The 
father  was  a  stranger  to  religion;  but  this  affecting 
circumstance  led  him  to  serious  reflection.  He  could 
imagine,  after  he  lost  his  children,  that  he  could  hear 


252        THIRTEEN  YEARS'  EXPERIENCE 

Dedication  at  Odessa. 

tliem  saying,  ^  Steer  this  way,  father  !'  He  knew  they 
had  gone  to  Heaven,  and  he  determined  he  would  meet 
them  there." 

I  told  these  weeping  parents  there  was,  in  their  case, 
a  little  resemblance  at  least  to  the  one  just  referred  to. 
Some  years  before  this  solemn  event,  they  had  a  lovely 
daughter,  that  suddenly  died,  just  at  the  age  of  Matilda 
at  her  death.  I  said,  "  They  will  sleep  side  by  side,  in 
the  family  graveyard,  but  their  souls,  redeemed  by  the 
precious  blood  of  Jesus,  are  safely  moored  in  the  hea- 
venly port.  As  you  are  navigating  the  sea  of  life,  *  By 
winds  and  waves  tossed  and  driven,'  may  you  hear  them 
say,  '  Steer  this  way,  father  !  steer  this  way,  mother  ! !' 
Will  you  do  it  ?"  It  was  a  funeral  occasion,  but  it  was 
a  season  of  refreshing  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord. 
And  we  all  felt  "  it  is  better  to  go  to  the  house  of  mourn- 
ing than  to  go  to  the  house  of  feasting 

A  model  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  was  consecrated 
in  October  of  this  year,  to  the  worship  of  Almighty  God, 
in  Cantwell's  Bridge,  now  Odessa,  New  Castle  county, 
Delaware.  Bishop  Scott  preached  in  the  morning  to  a 
delighted  audience.  This  is  the  native  place  of  Bishop 
Scott,  and  yet  no  minister  could  be  more  universally  es- 
teemed than  he,  in  that  region  of  country.  At  night  it 
was  my  privilege  to  preach  in  the  new  temple.  I  do  not 
wish  to  speak  to  the  disparagement  of  other  churches  in 
Delaware,  but  I  am  compelled  to  say,  this,  in  my  opinion, 
is  unsurpassed  for  neatness,  substantiality,  suitability,  and 


IN  THE  ITINERANCY.  253 

Bishop  Scott, 

beauty.  One  of  the  most  interesting  things  about  it  is, 
its  freedom  from  debt.  I  will  mention  a  fact  with  which 
I  was  that  day  made  acquainted.  The  builder  complained 
that  he  had  lost  money  by  the  transaction.  Be  it  spoken, 
however,  to  his  credit,  he  did  not  slight  the  job,  and  his 
work  will  praise  him.  The  trustees  and  congregation 
were  most  generously  disposed,  and,  as  there  was  a  suffi- 
ciency of  funds  subscribed  and  given  in  the  morning  to 
cover  the  claims,  at  night  there  were  a  few  hundred  dol- 
lars subscribed  as  a  donation  to  the  builder.  This  looked 
to  me  highly  honourable  and  Christian-like,  and  the 
impression  made  on  my  mind  by  my  visit  that  day,  both 
in  regard  to  the  minister,  Rev.  Joseph  Aspril,  and  his 
flock,  was,  that  they  delighted  ^'  to  do  justly,  and  to  love 
mercy,  and  to  walk  humbly  with  their  God."  Bishop 
Scott  was  at  that  time  on  the  eve  of  sailing  to  Africa.  • 
He  nobly  that  day  made  a  subscription,  remarking — and 
it  went  to  our  hearts — ^'  If  Hive  to  return  from  Africa 
1  ivill  pay  it.''  Unexpectedly,  however,  to  him,  before 
we  left  that  town,  by  the  kindness  of  some  of  his  nume- 
rous friends,  this  matter  was  adjusted,  and  duly  paid. 
I  came  to  the  conclusion  that  this  people  are  not  classed 
with  those  who  act  as  though  they  believed  that  the  minis- 
ters are  all  rich,  and  especially  the  Bishops  of  the  Method- 
ist Episcopal  Ohurch,  who,  according  to  the  theory  of 
some,  hold  all  the  Church  'property,  and  are  "  lords  over 
God's  heritage."    I  need  not  say  that  this  is  vile  slander. 


254  THIRTEEN  YEARS*  EXPERIENCE 

The  aflfecting  case  of  Captain  A. 

and  that  when  one  writes  it,  or  preaches  it,  he  is  guilty 
of  "bearing  false  witness  against  his  neighbour." 

The  last  Sunday  in  the  year  1852,  I  tried  to  preach 
among  my  old  friends,  at  the  Union  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  in  Wilmington,  Delaware,  from  "  They  all  with 
one  consent  began  to  make  excuse."  In  the  crowd,  that 
night,  I  saw  a  dear  friend,  not  religious,  much  moved. 
He  went  home,  deeply  impressed  with  the  importance 
of  at  once  giving  his  heart  to  God.  He  said  to  his  pious 
mother,  "  I  never  felt  half  as  much  under  any  sermon 
I  ever  heard  Brother  Manship  preach.  Mother,  I  will 
be  religious."  It  was  a  late  hour  that  night  before  he 
retired,  and  when  he  did  go  to  rest,  he  went  in  the  spirit 
of  prayer.  It  was  well  for  him  he  had  a  praying  mother, 
and  wife,  the  latter  of  whom  I  saw  converted  to  God,  and 
took  into  the  church  when  she  was  a  young  girl,  in  Milford, 
September,  1845.  This  friend  also  had  pious  sisters.  His 
family  was  greatly  attached  to  him,  and  well  they  might 
be,  for  his  generosity  to  his  aged  parents,  and  other 
members  of  the  family,  knew  no  bounds.  They  had 
shared  his  kindness  in  temporal  things,  and  how  eager 
these  pious  ones  were  to  be  of  service  to  him  in  spiritual 
things !  Many  prayers  were  offered,  and  many  tears 
were  shed  in  his  behalf.  It  was  my  privilege,  about  this 
time,  to  converse  freely  with  him  on  the  interests  of  his 
immortal  soul.  Said  he,  "I  firmly  believe  in  the  reality 
of  religion;  I  want  it,  and  I  will  have  it."    A  week  only 


IN  THE   ITINERANCY.  255 

A  storm  at  sea. 

elapsed,  and  tliis  noble  son  of  the  ocean,  at  the  helm  of 
his  vessel,  started  with  a  valuable  freight  to  a  prominent 
port.  He  had  not  been  at  sea  very  long,  before  the  winds 
escaped  from  their  prison-house,  roaring  indignantly  at 
having  been  confined  so  long.  All  was  commotion. 
Behold  the  frail  vessel,  exposed  to  all  the  fury  of  the 
ocean.  The  weather  was  excessively  cold ;  the  freezing 
waves  and  billows  go  over  the  captain  and  his  crew. 
Loud  roars  Neptune ;  loud  roar  the  winds ;  loud,  too, 
snap  and  crack  the  cordage  and  the  sails.  One  or  more 
were  swept  overboard,  to  feed  the  hungry  monsters  of  the 
deep.  When  it  was  evident  the  vessel  must  be  lost, 
orders  were  given  to  lash  themselves  in  the  sails  and 
rigging.  The  captain  was  thus  well  fixed ;  but  seeing 
one  of  the  crew  in  a  perilous  condition,  the  compassion 
of  his  noble  heart  led  him  to  give  the  sailor  his  place, 
and  look  out  for  himself.  He  made  another  arrange- 
ment for  himself,  far  less  likely,  however,  to  secure  his 
safety.  One  of  the  crew,  looking  to  that  God  who  is 
"the  confidence  of  all  the  ends  of  the  earth,  and  of 
them  that  are  afar  off,  upon  the  sea,"  made  an  efibrt  to 
reach  the  shore.  Strange  to  tell,  he  was  successful ;  but 
when  he  gained  the  beach,  though  so  cold  and  exhausted, 
he  contrived  to  bury  himself  in  the  sand,  and  after  awhile 
revived,  and  proceeded  to  ask  for  assistance.  The  perish- 
ing condition  of  Captain  A.,  and  those  on  board  his 
vessel,  led  to  the  launching  of  a  boat  into  the  terrific 


256  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

God  bcarri  tho  sailor's  prayer. 

ocean,  as  soon  as  it  was  deemed  possible  for  it  to  live, 
and  as  soon  as  the  distress  could  be  made  known.  She 
leaps  from  billow  to  billow — on  she  dashes.  But,  alas  ! 
when  she  reaches  the  unfortunate  vessel,  the  noble  Cap- 
tain A.  had  just  breathed  his  last.  How  awful  it  is  to 
freeze  to  death !  He  was  there  more  than  twenty-four 
hours,  exposed  to  the  storm  that  raged  furiously.  No 
kind  wife,  mother,  or  sisters  to  administer  unto  him,  but 
their  prayers  were  going  up  to  Heaven  in  his  behalf. 
What  would  have  been  their  distress  had  they  known  his 
lamentable  condition  !  There  was,  however,  an  Invisible, 
Omnipresent  Being  ready  to  hear  the  prayers  of  those 
"  who  go  down  to  the  sea  in  ships,  that  do  business  in 
great  waters."  The  crew  heard  him  praying  hour  after 
hour ;  and  he  sung  (and  how  appropriate  !) — 

"Jesus,  lover  of  my  soul, 

Let  me  to  thy  bosom  fly ; 
While  the  nearer  waters  roll, 

While  the  tempest  still  is  high. 
Hide  me,  0 !  my  Saviour,  hide, 

TiU  the  stortn  of  life  is  past ! 
Safe  unto  the  haven  guide  ; 

0  !  receive  my  soul  at  last ! 

*'  Other  refuge  have  I  none  ; 

Hangs  my  helpless  soul  on  thee : 
Leave,  0  leave  me  not  alone  ; 
Still  support  and  comfort  me: 


IN   THE    ITINERANCY.  257 

The  grounds  of  hope  in  Captain  A/s  death. 

All  my  trust  on  thee  is  stayed ; 

All  my  help  from  thee  I  bring  ; 
Cover  my  defenceless  head 

With  the  shadow  of  thy  wing." 

He  was  brought  home  a  few  days  thereafter  a  lifeless 
corpse.  This  mournful,  unexpected  circumstance  was 
too  much  almost  for  his  parents,  wife,  and  sisters  to  sup- 
port themselves  under.  I  went  to  weep  with  those  who 
wept ;  and  they  would  have  refused  to  be  comforted, 
but  for  the  hope  they  cherished :  "  Our  prayers  in  his 
behalf  have  been  heard,  and  the  Lord  did  receive  his 
soul  at  last."  I  owned  a  burial  lot  in  the  "  Wilmington 
and  Brandy  wine  Cemetery;"  this  family  were  away 
from  their  place  of  burial ;  an  arrangement  was  made, 
and  my  friend,  Captain  A.,  occupies  the  place  where  I 
expected  myself  to  repose.  My  respect  for  him  was 
great ;  and  my  confidence  is  strong  in  that  scripture : 
*'  For  he  will  finish  the  work,  and  cut  it  short  in  righteous- 
ness." The  prayers  of  his  pious  friends,  his  own  fervent 
petitions  under  those  solemn  circumstances,  and  the 
powerful  exercise  of  mind  he  was  under,  and  his  deter- 
mination to  be  a  Christian  just  before  he  went  on  this 
fatal  voyage,  lead  me  to  believe  that  this  friend,  who  lost 
his  vessel  and  his  life,  saved  Ms  soul,  by  stepping  on  the 
gospel  life-boat,  which,  through  God's  amazing  love,  has 
been  launched ;  Jesus  being  in  the  midst  of  her,  guiding 
her  movements.  This  boat  is  taking  sinners  from  ofif  the 
22* 


258        THIRTEEN  YEARS'  EXPERIENCE 

The  gospel  life-boat  Dedication  at  St.  George's,  Del. 

waves  that  are  bearing  them  on  to  death,  and  placing 
their  feet  upon  the  Rock  of  salvation.  What  a  merciful 
arrangement !  Man  is  "  tossed  upon  life's  stormy- 
billows ;"  wave  after  wave  rolls  him  on  to  destruction; 
the  whirlpool  opens  wide  its  mouth  to  "swallow  him 
whole,  as  those  that  go  down  into  the  pit."  Poor,  perish- 
ing sinner  !  I  will  lay  aside  figurative  language,  and  call 
your  attention  to  the  passage — and  this  is  our  only 
hope  : — "  God  so  loved  the  world,  that  he  gave  his  only 
begotten  Son,  that  whosoever  believeth  in  him  should  not 
perish,  but  have  everlasting  life." 

The  little  but  enterprising  society  in  St.  George's, 
New  Castle  county,  Delav^are,  had  finished  a  neat  brick 
church,  in  the  winter  of  1853.  I  was  associated  on  the 
occasion  of  the  dedication  with  the  venerable  Bishop 
Waugh.  This  house  was  commenced  under  the  labours 
of  Rev.  Elon  J.  Way,  and  Rev.  John  B.  Dennison. 
I  was  with  them  when  the  corner-stone  was  laid,  the 
preceding  summer.  There  was  but  a  handful  in  the 
society,  but  preachers  and  people  were  united.  No  man 
worked,  literally,  on  that  house  with  more  energy  than 
Rev.  John  B.  Dennison.  He  is  a  practical  mechanic. 
My  readers  will  not  be  surprised  at  success  in  this  place, 
when  I  inform  them  that  the  ministers  and  brethren  had 
the  hearty  co-operation  of  the  women.  One  instance  of 
zeal  which  occurred  on  the  day  of  dedication  I  will  men- 
tion.    After  we  had  accomplished  apparently  all  that  we 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  259 

A  female  financiering.  Improve  churches. 

could,  an  aged  sister,  who  was  much  interested,  took  the 
matter  in  hand.  Her  object  was  to  get  twenty  persons 
to  give  five  dollars  each,  which  would  make  one  hundred 
dollars.  It  was  strange  to  see  a  lady  going  up  and  down 
the  aisle ;  but  she  accomplished  the  work.  The  brick 
edifice,  here  completed,  and  dedicated  to  the  worship  of 
God,  was  blessed  with  a  gracious  outpouring  of  the  Holy 
Spirit,  and  the  little  society  was  immediately  strength- 
ened. The  brethren  realized  the  fulfilment  of  God's 
word:  "They  shall  not  labour  in  vain."  St.  George's 
was  exceedingly  feeble,  Methodistically,  when  this  work 
was  commenced.  But  they  went  at  it  in  a  right  spirit, 
feeling  "  except  the  Lord  build  the  house,  they  labour 
in  vain  that  build  it." 

If  such  a  work  could  be  accomplished  there,  shall 
not  our  societies  in  other  villages  and  towns  feel,  we  can 
"do  likewise?"  And  will  they  allow  the  cause  of  the 
Redeemer  to  languish  by  saying,  "the  old  church  was 
good  enough  for  our  fathers,  and  it  is  good  enough  for 
us."  Our  fathers  did  nobly  in  this  respect,  considering 
they  were  few  and  feeble.  But  now  we  are  numerous, 
second  to  no  people  in  the  nation,  and  have  pecuniary 
ability,  and,  in  many  regions,  have  the  influence  to 
accomplish  whatever  praiseworthy  end  we  may  desire. 
If  we  do  not  provide  for  the  people,  shall  we  not  be  held 
responsible  ? — For  Methodism  is  in  many  places  the  only 
religion  among  them,  and  through  no  other  instrument- 


260  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

Emulate  the  example  of  David. 

ality  "  have  they  so  much  as  heard  whether  there  be  any 
Holy  Ghost."  The  little  house  that  answered  our  pur- 
poses forty  or  fifty  years  ago,  is  not  now  sufficiently 
capacious.  And  while  there  are  improvements  going 
forward  in  everything  else,  should  not  our  churches  be 
neat  and  inviting  and  suitable  edifices,  and  erected  in 
proper  places  ?  May  we  all,  preachers  and  people,  feel 
like  David  on  this  subject !  Then  God's  House  would 
have  the  first  claim  upon  us,  and  not  be  a  secondary 
matter.  Hear  David's  expression :  "  Surely  I  will  not 
come  unto  the  tabernacle  of  my  house,  nor  go  up  into 
my  bed ;  I  will  not  give  sleep  to  mine  eyes,  or  slumber 
to  my  eyelids ;  until  I  find  out  a  place  for  the  Lord,  an 
habitation  for  the  mighty  God  of  Jacob." 


CHAPTER  XL 

I  will  go  in  the  Strength  of  the  Lord — Nazareth  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  Philadelphia — A  young  Man  flying  from  the  presence  of 
the  Lord — The  happy  End  of  a  Youth — Church  Locations  a  very  im- 
portant matter — Organization  of  Hedding  Church — A  little  Mis- 
sionary Station  near  a  Catholic  Church — "  Have  Faith  in  God" — 
Enlarge  the  Borders  by  pitching  Tents — Interesting  Incidents  in  the 
Tents — Philanthropists  and  Benefactors  advised  to  build  Churches 
— Rev.  David  H.  Kollock — Future  Place  of  Worship  described — A 
Brother  shouts  prospectively. 


A 


T  the  Conference  in  1853,  which  was  held  in  Har- 
risburg,  the  capital  of  Pennsylvania,  Bishop  Mor- 


IN  THE  ITINERANCY.  261 

"  In  the  strength  of  the  Lord  I  will  go." 

ris  presided.  I  was  desired  at  the  "  North  City  Home 
Mission,  Philadelphia."  One  object  that  was  contem- 
plated, was  the  building  of  a  church  of  respectable 
quality  and  dimensions.  As  I  had  had  so  much  of  that 
kind  of  work  to  do,  be  it  spoken  to  the  credit  of  that 
kind-hearted  superintendent,  he  refused  to  appoint  me 
to  this  field  without  mentioning  the  matter  to  me.  He 
requested  me  to  think  of  it,  and  let  him  know  the  next 
day.  I  did  so :  I  dropped  him  a  short  note,  in  which  I 
said,  "  In  that  field  I  must  necessarily  look  for  much 
labour  and  perplexity.  But  this  is  not  our  rest ;  and  I 
am  too  young  a  man,  and,  I  trust,  too  true  a  Methodist 
preacher,  to  refuse  to  go  anywhere :  therefore,  if  you 
and  tbe  council  think  I  am  the  man  for  the  place,  '  in 
the  strength  of  the  Lord  I  will  go.'" 

I  was  appointed  to  be  the  successor  of  Rev.  Thomas 
C.  Murphey.  This  brother  had  acquitted  himself  on 
this  field  of  labour  well,  and  had  been  successful  at 
several  points,  especially  at  the  place  where  the  new 
church  was  to  be  erected.  Through  his  instrumentality, 
at  least  fifty  had  been  added  to  the  Church.  His  pre- 
decessor, Rev.  George  Quigley,  had  laboured  at  this 
point  successfully,  and  had  loudly  called  attention  to  the 
importance  of  rising  up  and  building  a  house  for  the 
Lord. 

The  house  in  which  we  preached  was  comfortable, 
but  it  was  ''  a  little  one."     I  suppose  it  would  accommo- 


262  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

Nazareth  No  2. 

date  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  persons.  It  was  ori- 
ginally built  by  the  Nazareth  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  or  more  particularly,  by  the  Sunday  School  of 
that  Church,  about  the  year  1842,  and  in  honour  of 
the  parent  Church,  called  ''Nazareth  No.  2."  The 
original  cost  was  about  one  thousand  dollars.  Much 
credit  is  due  to  Nazareth  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
for  sustaining  the  gospel  here  for  a  series  of  years. 
Her  pastors  and  local  preachers  delighted  to  face  the 
storms  of  winter,  and  encounter  the  heat  of  summer,  to 
publish  glad  tidings  of  great  joy  to  this  then  neglected 
neighbourhood.  In  order  to  offer  greater  facilities  to 
the  people  of  the  neighbourhood,  the  Nazareth  brethren 
several  years  asked  for  the  appointment  of  a  junior 
preacher  more  exclusively  for  the  little  Nazareth. 
Among  those  who  toiled  here  to  cultivate  Immanuel's 
land,  was  Rev.  Robert  R.  Richardson.  He  fell  in  the 
work,  after  labouring  in  this  and  other  fields  a  few  brief 
years.  His  end  was  peaceful.  In  the  winter  of 
1846-7,  I  aided  Rev.  Henry  R.  Calloway  in  a  pro- 
tracted meeting  at  this  place.  Services  here  were 
owned  of  the  Lord.  One  evening  I  endeavoured  to 
preach  in  this  little  temple.  But  little  as  it  was,  I  found 
God  did  not  despise  it ;  for  he  was  there  to  convict  and 
convert  souls.  There  was  a  young  man  deeply  affected. 
He  left  the  house,  and  tried  hard  to  shake  off  his  "  guilty 
fears."     He  returned,  if  possible,  more  swiftly  than  he 


IN  THE  ITINERANCY.  263 

Its  origin.  Two  zealous  ladies. 

left,  feeling  that  he  could  say,  "  For  thine  arrows  stick 
fast  in  me,  and  thy  hand  presseth  me  sore."  lie 
pressed  into  the  City  of  Refuge,  feeling  the  avenger  of 
blood  was  at  his  heels. 

One  of  the  first  things  that  the  people  of  God 
attended  to  here,  was  the  formation  of  a  Sunday  School. 
This  grain  of  mustard-seed  has  gradually  grown;  this 
little  leaven  is  still  at  work.  Through  its  influence 
many  received  their  first  religious  impressions.  I  know 
not  how  many  have,  by  this  very  agency,  escaped  the 
pollutions  of  the  world. 

About  1835  or  1836,  the  Lord  put  it  into  the  heart  of 
a  Christian  female  to  bestir  herself,  and  do  what  she  could 
to  reform  the  wicked  children,  by  starting  a  school  in 
Coates  Street.  She  reconnoitered  the  neighbourhood. 
While  she  looked  on,  she  felt  compelled  to  say  of  the 
people  in  the  neighbourhood,  "  The  heart  of  the  sons  of 
men  is  fully  set  in  them  to  do  evil."  As  she  was 
passing  around  among  the  people,  she  met,  greatly  to 
her  delight,  with  a  female  that  knew  the  Lord.  She 
spent  several  hours  with  her.  These  two  Christian 
women  started  also  a  prayer  meeting,  and  many 
attended;  and  there  were  none  but  the  two  females 
referred  to,  that  could  pray  in  public,  or  take  any  part 
in  the  exercises.  Their  cry  was,  "  Come  over  into 
Macedonia  and  help  us."  The  Nazareth  brethren 
heeded  that  cry.     Good  came  out  of  Nazareth.     This 


264  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

Thomas  Willday. 

beginning,  made  by  the  two  pious  females,  who  are  still 
living,  and  ready  to  say,  "  Behold,"  our  "  eyes  have  seen 
thy  salvation,"  led  to  the  erection  of  "Nazareth  No.  2." 
The  good  accomplished  by  this  feeble  and  humble  effort, 
will  not  be  known  this  side  eternity.  Some  converted 
here  are  now  in  Heaven. 

I  will  give  one  instance  ;  and  if  there  was  not  another 
case,  those  who  laboured  in  this  work,  and  contributed 
their  means  to  establish  this  little  place,  might  truth- 
fully say,  "  We  are  repaid,  we  have  not  lost  our  reward." 
The  case  I  allude  to  was  that  of  Thomas  Willday.  He 
for  years  attended  Sabbath  School  at  this  point,  and 
through  this  instrumentality  was  brought  to  God  and  to 
Heaven.  Young  readers,  especially  Sabbath  School 
scholars,  look  at  Thomas  on  his  death-bed  particularly, 
though  only  in  his  fifteenth  year.  He  had  been  a 
delicate  child  from  his  tenth  year ;  he  used  to  say  to  the 
physician,  "  I  shall  never  get  well  till  I  go  to  the  Great 
Physician;"  speaking  of  the  Saviour,  he  said,  "He  will 
cure  me."  While  on  his  dying-bed  he  would  sing  fre- 
quently the  little  hymn,  the  chorus  of  which  was, 

"  Then  our  troubles  will  be  over." 

Kev.  John  Kennaday,  D.D.,  the  pastor  of  Nazareth 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  visited  him  the  day  of  his 
death,  and  asked  the  dying  youth  relative  to  his 
prospects.     He  replied,  "I  am  fully  prepared;  I  thank 


IN  THE   ITINERANCY.  265 

Hedding  Church.  Bishop  Hedding. 

God,  that  my  parents,  and  especially  my  Sunday  School 
teachers,  have  directed  me  to  the  Saviour.  I  am  at  the 
edge  of  the  river,  and  the  waters  do  not  affright  me." 
The  minister  inquired,  "Do  you  think,  Thomas,  your 
faith  will  carry  you  through?"  "Yes;  Jesus  is  thero 
to  receive  me."  He  called  all  around  him,  and  said, 
"  I  see,  I  see  the  city  of  light ;  the  host  is  come,  and  the 
chariot  is  waiting."     He  then  sung, 

"  Hark !  hark !  my  Lord,  my  Lord  and  Master  calls  me ; 
All  is  well,  all  is  well ; 
I  soon  shall  see,  shall  see  his  face  in  glory ; 
All  is  well,  aJl  is  well. 

"  Farewell,  my  friends,  adieu,  adieu, 
I  can  no  longer  stay  with  you,  ~~ 

My  glittering  crown  appears  in  view ; 
All  is  well,  all  is  well." 

Thus  this  Sunday  School  scholar  passed  away. 
i"oung  reader,  may  you  and  I  likewise  he  honoured  in 
our  closing  scene,  and  be  promoted  from  the  Sabbath 
School  on  earth,  to  the  highe7'  school  in  Heaven,  where 
we  shall  increase  in  heavenly  knowledge ;  "  Now  I  know 
in  part;  but  then  shall  I  know  even  as  I  am  known." 

The  first  day  I  spent  on  the  mission,  I  officiated  at 

"Hedding"   Church;    fortius   was  now  the   name    of 

'"Nazareth  No.  2."      This  change  was  made  after   it 

became  an  appointment  on  the  "  North  City  Mission," 

and  in  honour  of  Bishop  Hedding,  who  is  now  dead^  but 


266        THIRTEEN  YEARS'  EXPERIENCE 

Encouraging  commencement.  Lot  selected  for  Iledding  Church. 

his  "works  do  follow  him."  The  last  time  he  presided 
in  our  (Philadelphia)  Conference,  I  heard  him  say  in 
substance :  "  I  have  been  an  Itinerant  Methodist 
preacher  for  about  fifty  years ;  I  have  endured  hardness  ; 
often  been  persecuted  and  slandered ;  but,  if  I  had  my 
life  to  live  over  again,  I  would  sooner  be  a  poor  Itinerant 
minister  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  than  any- 
thing else — yes,  I  would  be,  if  I  thought  I  should  die  in 
a  ditch."  These  words  fell  from  his  lips  with  great 
weight,  and  sunk  deeply  into  our  hearts.  When  I  found 
the  church  that  was  to  be  built  was  to  bear  his  name, 
I  was  much  pleased;  for  such  a  man  as  Eev.  Elijah 
Hedding  is  rarely  met  with,  and  "  shall  be  in  everlasting 
remembrance."  I  told  my  little  flock  that  the  borders 
must  be  enlarged,  and  there  was  no  time  to  be  lost ;  the 
sooner  we  commenced  the  better.  I  asked  that  one 
thousand  dollars  should  that  day  be  raised,  as  a  begin- 
ing  towards  effecting  this  important  work.  This  was 
pledged ;  and,  what  was  truly  interesting  in  the  evening 
service,  there  were  several  seeking  religion,  and  one 
precious  soul  happily  set  at  liberty.  This  we  all  felt 
was  a  good  Sabbath,  and  "a  day's  march  nearer  home." 
An  important  step  was  now  to  be  taken,  viz.  procuring  a 
lot  on  which  to  erect  the  structure  which  had  been  for 
some  time  contemplated.  Several  lots  had  been  spoken 
of;  barriers  were  thrown  in  the  way;  but  finally,  it  was 
deemed  judicious  to  purchase  a  lot  of  "  St.   George's 


IN  THE   ITINERANCY.  267 

Reasons  for  the  selection. 

Methodist  Episcopal  Churcli."  The  lot  fronts  on  a  main 
street,  viz.  Sixteenth,  south  of  Coates.  This  street  is 
wide,  and  fine  improvements  have  succeeded  the  chui'ch 
arrangement.  This  always  is  the  case,  and  it  speaks  in 
language  that  we  cannot  misunderstand,  in  favour  of 
Christianity.  This,  were  I  a  property-holder  in  a  neigh- 
bourhood where  a  church  of  the  right  grade  was  to  be 
built,  would  induce  me,  if  there  was  no  other  considera- 
tion, to  aid  in  its  erection.  Who  wants  to  live  in  a 
Christian  land  where  there  are  no  facilities  for  spiritual 
improvement  ?  And  where  they  are  at  command,  who 
does  not  know  that  the  value  of  property  is  very  con- 
siderably enhanced  ? 

We  were  led  to  settle  on  the  ^'  St.  George's"  lot, 
because  we  would  then  be  at  a  considerable  distance 
from  any  other  church,  of  our  own  or  any  other  denom- 
ination ;  because  it  was  to  be  had  on  much  more  rea- 
sonable terms  than  any  other  in  the  neighbourhood ; 
and  because  the  people  most  generally  wanted  it 
there,  and  we  firmly  believed  that  their  reverence  for 
their  dead  all  around  it,  would  lead  them  to  aid  as  in 
paying  for  it.  And  I  do  positively  assert,  that  not  only 
hundreds  of  our  own  denomination  have  expressed  their 
approval  and  great  pleasure  at  the  location,  but  not  a 
few  of  other  denominations,  ministers  and  members, 
have  borne  their  testimony  in  favour  of  the  location ; 


268        THIRTEEN  YEARS'  EXPERIENCE 

Preliminary  measures. 

and  all  unite  in  saying,  it  is  ^'  beautiful  for  situation." 
The  last  argument,  though  not  the  least,  that  I  shall 
present,  to  prove  that  it  is  rightly  located,  is,  that  the 
people  from  every  quarter  delight  to  flock  to  the  stand- 
ard of  the  cross,  planted  on  this  consecrated  spot,  and 
that  already  it  has  been  said  in  hundreds  of  instances, 
"  This  and  that  man  was  born  in  her  ;  and  the  Highest 
himself  shall  establish  her." 

When  we  consummated  the  lot  business,  and  saw  the 
light  dawning,  we  were  all  inspired  with  strong  hope 
that  we  should  be  able  to  accomplish  the  work,  which 
was  certainly  likely  to  be  arduous,  provided  we  could 
have  the  entire  time  of  a  pastor,  to  co-operate  ener- 
getically with  the  society.  Hedding  Church  had  already 
its  separate  Board  of  Trustees,  the  mission  only  pro- 
viding for  the  support  of  the  ministry  while  they  offi- 
ciated here  and  at  other  points.  The  field  was  too  wide 
to  do  justice  to  all  points ;  and,  as  there  was  to  be  a 
large  church  erected,  the  Hedding  Board  of  Trustees 
and  the  society  unanimously  asked  the  "Missionary 
Board"  to  allow  them  to  be  disconnected  from  them,  and 
to  have  the  entire  services  of  a  pastor,  whom  they 
thought  they  could  by  a  strong  effort  support.  This 
important  change  was  calmly,  and  in  a  Christian-like 
manner,  discussed  in  the  Missionary  Board,  and  though 
the  members  of  the  board  saw,  as  plainly  as  the  brethren 
of  Hedding  society,  the  necessity  of  having  the  entire 


IN   THE    ITINERANCY.  269 

Hedding  Church  made  a  distinct  charge. 

services  of  a  minister  devoted  to  that  point,  yet  they 
were  fearful  of  a  failure^  not  only  in  carrying  the 
Church  enterprise  to  a  successful  issue,  but  also  in 
regard  to  the  ability  of  this  infant  church  to  support  a 
pastor.  Still,  having  a  desire  to  adopt  the  best  means 
for  the  accomplishment  of  the  greatest  amount  of  good, 
they  resolved  in  the  right  spirit,  to  acquiesce  in  the  pro- 
posal made  by  "Hedding  Society,"  provided  the  proper 
church  authorities  would  sanction  the  course.  The 
regular  steps  were  taken  to  lead  the  appointing  power  to 
make  the  proposed  alteration ;  and,  after  due  considera- 
tion, Bishop  Morris,  who  was  the  proper  superintendent 
to  act  in  this  case — for  he  made  the  original  appoint- 
ment at  the  preceding  Conference — approved  the  mea- 
sure, which  however  was  carried  out  by  Rev.  Joseph 
Castle,  Presiding  Elder  of  the  District,  who  was  on  the 
ground,  and  understood  fully  the  merits  of  the  case. 
Accordingly,  by  proper  ecclesiastical  authority,  "  Hed- 
ding Church"  was  made  a  distinct  charge,  on  the  9th 
day  of  August,  1853,  and  I  was  appointed  pastor  of  the 
"little  flock;"  and  at  the  same  time,  another  brother. 
Rev.  Mr.  Nixon,  was  appointed  to  the  supervision  of  the 
"  North  City  Home  Mission."  I  should  not  do  my  duty, 
if  I  were  not  to  say,  that,  in  this  transaction,  the  most 
fraternal  spirit  pervaded  the  different  meetings  which 
were  held  on  this  business,  and  that  the  "  Missionary 
Board"  unanimously  agreed  that  "  Hedding  Church" 

23* 


270  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXrERIENCE 

Leaves  shaken  from  the  Tree  of  Life. 

should  have  the  use  of  their  parsonage  furniture  until 
the  following  spring,  as  the  missionary,  who  succeeded 
me,  did  not  need  it. 

As  this  arrangement  was  made,  my  stay  on  the  mis- 
sion was  a  brief  one.  I  found  the  field  difficult,  but 
vastly  important — the  work  consisting  in  holding  little 
meetings  in  upper  rooms,  and  out-of-the-way  places, 
preaching  and  exhorting  to  a  little  company  of  saints 
and  sinners,  and,  as  opportunity  offers,  scattering  tracts 
from  house  to  house.  How  precious  !  these  are  leaves 
shaken  off  the  Tree  of  Life.  They  speak  where  the  living 
minister  cannot.  Let  them  be  disseminated  everywhere. 
Here  is  not  only  a  fine  field  for  the  brethren,  but  also 
for  our  Marys  and  Lydias,  who  have  "  chosen  the  good 
part,"  and  whose  hearts  "the  Lord"  hath  "opened." 
This  class  of  the  Church  were  helpers  to  the  great 
Apostle  Paul :  "  Those  women,  which  laboured  ivith  me 
in  the  gospel.''  I  am  glad  that  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  is  waking  up  to  the  importance  of  the  tract 
cause,  in  saving  souls.  I  saw  some  good  accomplished 
on  the  mission  in  this  way.  This  cause  will  save  its 
thousands  and  tens  of  thousands.  I  was  much  inter- 
ested with  the  Mission  Schools.  One  of  them,  formed 
by  one  of  my  predecessors,  from  the  force  of  circum- 
stances had  been  disbanded,  but  the  Lord  raised  up  a 
man  in  that  location,  though  not  a  member  of  any 
Church,  who  took  an  unfinished  house  on  his  own  respon- 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  .  271 

The  impotent  arrogance  of  Romanists. 

sibility,  and  used  his  best  endeavours  to  perpetuate  the 
existence  of  this  cause  in  the  neighbourhood.  I  tried 
my  utmost  to  encourage  him  in  his  TYork,  reported  the 
effort  to  the  Board,  and  they  encouraged  me  to  do  what 
I  could  for  that  populous,  but  mostly  Roman  Catholic 
district.  Their  Church  was  most  extensive,  and  the 
minister  thereof  appeared  to  think  he  was  "  Lord  of  all 
he  surveyed,  his  right  there  was  none  to  dispute. '^  And 
like  Goliah  of  old,  he  was  disposed  to  ''  defy  the  armies 
of  the  living  God."  This  little  Methodist  missionary 
station  was  aroused,  and  ready  to  ask,  David-like,  "Who 
is  this  uncircumcised  Philistine,  that  he  should  defy  the 
armies  of  the  living  God?"  We  began  to  sing;  we 
could  not  make  such  exquisite  music  with  our  unculti- 
vated voices,  as  a  well-trained  orchestra,  which  they  had 
at  a  heavy  expense.  They  must  have  something  to 
attract.  And  while~  they  chanted,  and  we  heard  peal 
after  peal  from  the  deep-toned  organ,  we  tried  to  lift  up 
our  voices  like  a  trumpet,  and  fulfil  the  command, 
"the  great  trumpet  shall  be  blown;"  and  we  also  sung 
with  earnestness — 

"  0  !  for  a  trumpet  voice, 

On  all  the  world  to  call ! 
To  bid  their  hearts  rejoice 

In  him  who  died  for  all. 
For  all,  my  Lord  was  crucified ; 
For  all,  for  all,  my  Saviour  died." 


272        THIRTEEN  YEARS'  EXPERIENCE 

Means  of  success  simple. 

This  little  band  was  ready  to  say,  ^'Let  no  man's  heart 
fail  because  of  him ;  thy  servants  will  go  and  fight  with 
this  Philistine."  But  the  Methodists  were  "  disdained  ;'* 
and  the  enemy  was  ready  to  say,  "  Am  I  a  dog,  that  thou 
comest  to  me  with  staves?"  The  means  that  we  use  in 
triumphing  in  every  place  are  very  simple ;  we  will  not 
fight  the  enemy  with  Saul's  armour,  but  the  sword  of 
the  Spirit,  and  the  shield  of  faith,  and  other  weapons 
that  are  despised.  David's  faith  and  God's  providence 
carried  him  in  this  conflict  triumphantly  through,  and 
fulfilled  his  fearless  declaration :  "  This  day  will  the 
Lord  deliver  thee  into  mine  hand ;  and  I  will  smite  thee, 
and  take  thine  head  from  thee  ;  and  I  will  give  the  car- 
casses of  the  host  of  the  Philistines  this  day  unto  the 
fowls  of  the  air,  and  to  the  wild  beasts  of  the  earth ; 
that  all  the  earth  may  know  that  there. is  a  God  in 
Israel."  Victory  after  victory  has  perched  upon  the 
banners  of  the  Church  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  We 
verily  believed,  then,  that  in  that  hard  field  the  tree  of 
Methodism  would  be  planted ;  "  and  this  is  the  victory 
that  overcometh  the  world,  even  our  faith."  Christ  will 
^'  reign  and  triumph."  There  is  many  a  battle  yet  to  be 
fought,  but  the  Lion  of  the  tribe  of  Judah  shall  conquer. 
*'  These  shall  make  war  with  the  Lamb,  and  the  Lamb 
shall  overcome  them ;  for  he  is  Lord  of  lords,  and  Kingt 
of  kings ;  and  they  that  are  with  him  are  called,  and 
chosen,  and  faithful." 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  273 

Tabernacle  M.  E.  Church. 

The  worthy  man  who  held  on  to  the  Sunday  School 
cause  in  this  neighbourhood  with  an  unflinching  hand, 
was  one  of  the  first  to  join  our  little  society,  which  was 
reorganized  while  I  was  on  the  mission.  This  little  band 
has  considerably  increased  in  numerical  strength  and 
influence ;  and  they  are  building  a  house  for  the  Lord, 
on  the  same  street  where  the  spacious  cathedral  stands, 
which,  in  size  and  quality,  will  be  second  to  but  few  in 
our  city,  of  our  denomination.  This  little  missionary 
station  also  has  become  a  regular  self-sustaining  charge, 
with  its  own  pastor,  labouring  to  complete  the  stately 
edifice.  The  foreign  missionary  work  is  glorious,  but 
the  home  department  must  not  be  neglected.  And,  in 
view  of  all  the  circumstances,  the  Protestant  community 
in  our  city  ought  to  feel  a  holy  ambition  in  accomplishing 
this  great  work,  and  in  opening  an  efi"ectual  door  for  the 
preaching  of  the  pure  gospel.  The  ministers  of  the 
word,  and  God's  people  here,  should  not  only  say  to 
sinners,  but  to  Koman  Catholics,  kindly :  ''  Come  thou 
with  us,  and  we  will  do  thee  good ;  for  the  Lord  hath 
spoken  good  concerning  Israel."  Many  of  them* would 
accept  the  invitation.     This  would  be  a  great  salvation. 

On  the  day  we  were  organized  into  a  distinct  charge, 
we  entered  into  a  contract  to  have  a  church  built  at  a 
cost  of  about  thirteen  tliousand  dollars.  This  amount 
was  independent  of  the  ground.  We  could  scarcely  tell 
where  the  money  was  to  come  from.     I  thought  of  an 


274  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPEftfBNCE 

.Incident  in  the  life  of  Rev.  J.  Wesley. 

incident  in  the  Life  of  Rev.  John  Wesley,  which  is  as 
follows : — 

*'  In  one  of  his  tours  through  England,  Mr.  Wesley 
stopped  for  a  day  and  night  in  a  small  town  where  the 
members  of  the  church  were  comparatively  few  and 
feeble,  and  worshipped  God  in  a  private  house.  As  was 
his  custom  in  all  his  journey ings,  he  gathered  them  toge- 
ther, and  preached  to  them.  Early  in  the  morning  he 
arose  and  walked  through  the  town,  for  the  purpose  of 
selecting  a  suitable  site  for  a  chapel.  He  fixed  upon  a 
lot  occupied  by  an  old  frame  building.  After  ascertain- 
ing it  could  be  purchased,  he  sought  out  a  master  me- 
chanic, who  had  been  recommended  to  him  as  a  worthy 
and  responsible  man.  He  requested  him  to  examine  the 
premises,  and  to  let  him  know  the  cost  of  clearing  them, 
and  erecting  a  chapel  of  the  dimensions  and  character 
he  gave  him.  The  workman  made  the  calculation,  and 
assured  him  it  would  cost,  including  the  land,  one  thou- 
sand pounds.  Mr.  Wesley  directed  him  at  once  to  pro- 
ceed with  the  work,  and  have  it  done  in  a  specified  time. 
The  gentleman  accepted  the  offer  of  the  work,  and  re- 
quested to  be  informed  to  whom  he  should  look  weekly 
for  any  amount  of  funds  he  might  need  to  pay  his 
hands,  remarking,  that  he  supposed  Mr.  Wesley  had 
means  sufficient  to  leave  with  some  authorized  agent. 
Mr.  Wesley  assured  him  he  had  no  money  himself,  but 
that  he  must  proceed  at  once  with  the  work,  and  '  have 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  275 

Have  faith  in  God. 

faith  in  God.'     The  funds  necessary  would  doubtless  be 
provided  as  they  were  needed. 

"  The  workman  told  Mr.  "Wesley  it  would  not  do  for 
him  to  undertake  the  work  without  knowing  on  whom  he 
could  rely  for  the  money,  as  he  might  need  it.  Mr.  Wesley 
told  him  that  all  that  was  necessary  was  to  ^  have  faith  in 
God.'  ^  Faith  in  God,'  said  the  builder,  *  may  answer  you 
in  your  course,  but  in  this  case  it  will  not  answer  my 
purpose,  inasmuch  as  it  will  not  pay  off  my  hands  at  the 
end  of  each  week,  when  they  call  upon  me  for  what  may 
be  due  them.'  While  thus  engaged  in  conversation,  on 
the  site  where  the  chapel  was  to  be  built,  a  venerable 
Quaker  gentleman,  who  knew  Mr.  Wesley,  stopped  and 
accosted  him  by  saying,  ^  Good  morning.  Friend  Wesley, 
I  hope  thou  art  well.'  '  Quite  well,'  replied  Mr.  Wesley. 
'  Friend  John,'  said  the  old  gentleman,  '  I  had  a  singu- 
lar dream  about  thee,  last  night.'  *  Ah?'  said  Mr.  Wes- 
ley, '  what  was  it  ?'  'I  dreamed  there  was  under  thy 
charge,  in  this  town,  a  small  flock  of  sheep,  and  that 
they  had  no  fold  for  their  protection,  and  were  suffering 
greatly  from  wolves,  and  dangers  arising  from  other 
sources.  I  think.  Friend  John,  thy  people  should  be 
provided  with  a  meeting-house,  in  which  they  may  wor- 
ship, and  be  secure.'  Mr.  Wesley  assured  him  he  was 
of  the  same  opinion,  and  was  at  that  moment  in  treaty 
with  the  workman  then  present,  for  the  erection  of  such 
a  chapel  as  he  thought  the  necessities  of  the  case  re- 


276  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

Laying  corner-stone  of  Hedding  Church. 

quired.  '  I  am  pleased  to  hear  it,  Friend  John,'  replied 
the  old  gentleman.  '  How  much  will  it  cost  thee  V 
'  One  thousand  pounds,'  said  Mr.  Wesley.  Extending 
his  hand,  he  said,  ^  Friend  John,  take  this,  it  will  aid 
thee  in  the  accomplishment  of  thy  purpose.  Farewell.* 
When  Mr.  Wesley  examined  the  paper,  he  found  it  to 
be  a  draft,  upon  the  old  gentleman  himself,  for  eight 
hundred  pounds.  Mr.  Wesley  showed  it  to  the  astonished 
workman,  and  said,  '  Did  I  not  tell  you  to  have  faith  in 
God,  and  the  funds  would  be  provided  ?'  On  Mr.  Wes- 
ley's arrival  in  London,  he  found  a  letter  from  the  same 
gentleman,  containing  a  draft  for  two  hundred  pounds 
additional,  the  whole  amount  necessary  to  complete  the 
chapel." 

This  circumstance  encouraged  me  to  hope  we  should 
be  able  to  raise  the  means  as  they  were  required.  We 
felt,  what  ought  to  be  "done  can  he  done,  and  we  had 
"faith  in  God."  While  we  had  faith  in  God,  we  all 
thought  of  the  teaching  of  the  Scripture,  "  What  doth 
it  profit,  my  brethren,  though  a  man  say  he  hath  faith, 
and  have  not  works  ?"  Preacher  and  people  well  knew 
that,  to  accomplish  this  most  desirable  end,  and  to  fulfil 
our  contract,  which  was  heavy  for  a  handful  of  feeble 
members,  we  must  have  "  a  mind  to  work." 

On  the  11th  of  September,  1853,  the  work  was  so 
far  advanced  as  to  enable  us  to  lay  the  corner-stone. 
The  weather  being  warm,  we  arranged  to  have  tents 


IN  THE  ITINERANCY.  277 

Tents  erected.  Interest  the'children. 

pitched  on  the  adjacent  lot,  to  protect  the  people  from 
the  heat  of  the  sun ;  and  we  provided  seats  for  the  ac- 
commodation of  a  very  large  audience,  and  published 
through  the  papers  of  the  city,  and  otherwise,  our  plan 
of  operation,  heading  our  advertisement  with  "  To  your 
tents,  0  Israel !"  The  meeting  was  largely  attended. 
The  principal  address  was  delivered  by  Bishop  Waugh, 
and  the  corner-stone  laid  by  that  good  man.  His  ad- 
dress and  labours  told  on  the  hearts  of  the  people,  and 
as  their  hearts  were  warm,  great  liberality  was  mani- 
fested. In  this  important  respect,  our  most  sanguine 
hopes  were  more  than  realized.  There  were  suitable 
articles,  such  as  the  Bible,  Hymn  Book,  Discipline,  and 
"  Christian  Advocate  and  Journal,"  placed  in  the  corner- 
stone, and  last,  though  not  least,  the  names  of  all  the 
children  connected  with  the  Sabbath  School  of  the 
church.  We  felt  this  will  attach  them  to  this  sacred 
spot,  and  it  was  our  hope  that  this  course  would  create, 
in  their  tender  hearts,  a  respect  and  love  for  the  ^'  habi- 
tation of "  God's  "house"  that  would  grow  with  their 
growth,  and  strengthen  with  their  strength.  The  Church 
should  use  every  proper  means  in  saying,  "  Come,  ye 
children,  hearken  unto  me,  I  will  teach  you  the  fear  of 
the  Lord." 

At  night  (being  Thursday  night),  we  held  meeting 
under  the  tents,  for  a  twofold  purpose.    First,  to  increase 
our  subscription  list,  which  we  did,  to  something  over 
21 


278  THIRTEEN   years'    EXrERIENCB 

Served  a  better  purpose  than  intended. 

two  thousand  dollars.  Secondly,  to  labour  for  the  sal- 
vation of  souls.  Our  meeting  was  so  well  attended,  that 
we  gave  out  for  the  next  day — afternoon  and  night.  On 
Saturday  we  had  an  addition  of  tents,  working  till  just 
twelve  o'clock  at  night  to  get  ready,  and  on  Sunday, 
14th  of  September,  1853,  we  had  accommodations  for 
at  least  ttvo  tJiousand  'persons.  Our  places  were  all  oc- 
cupied, and  hundreds,  if  not  thousands  in  attendance, 
that  could  not  procure  seats.  Excellent  order  prevailed 
throughout  the  day,  except  in  the  morning  service  some 
son  of  Belial  threw  at  us,  in  the  pulpit,  with  considera- 
ble violence,  about  a  pound  of  soap  ;  it  struck  one  of 
the  posts  of  our  large  camp-meeting-like  stand,  and  fell 
harmless  at  our  feet.  I  presume  the  intention  was  to 
do  us  injury.  I  remarked,  "  This  is  likely  to  turn 
out  to  advantage.  If  I  am  spared,  I  shall  take  this 
home  with  me,  and  as  to-morrow  is  wash-day,  I  shall 
place  it  in  the  hands  of  the  washerwoman,  with  instruc- 
tions to  wash  out  linens  that  I  shall  soil  this  day  in  try- 
ing to  get  just  such  hardened  wretches  converted  to  God." 
We  remained  in  the  tents  for  nearly  three  weeks.  In 
the  mean  time  the  equinoctial  storm  came  upon  us,  and 
just  after  a  large  and  very  happy  meeting  was  dismissed, 
and  all  the  people  had  made  their  exit,  the  tents  were 
blown  down,  with  a  considerable  crash.  Had  this  taken 
place  an  hour  sooner,  limbs  might  have  been  broken, 
and  possibly  some  one  killed.     Another  circumstance, 


IN   THE    ITINERANCY.  279 

Stand  breaks  down.  Young  ladies  converted/ 

which  took  place  during  the  tent  meeting,  and  which 
leads  me  to  believe  in  a  special  Providence,  I  will  men- 
tion. One  evening,  while  the  prayer  meeting  was  in 
progress,  the  large  stand  was  occupied  by  the  singers. 
I  presume  there  were  in  it,  at  the  time,  at  least  thirty 
or  forty  persons.  A  little  boy  was  asleep,  under  the 
stand,  and  the  pressure  on  the  floor  causing  it  to  give 
way,  the  bottom  of  the  stand,  with  thirty  or  forty  per- 
sons on  it,  came  down  upon  the  little  sleeper.  I  was 
much  alarmed ;  for  I  feared  the  result.  I  inquired,  "Is 
anybody  hurt  ?"  There  was  a  vociferous  reply,  ''No, 
blessed  be  God,  not  a  bone  is  broken,  not  a  hair  of  any 
one's  head  hurt."  "Ye  are  of  more  value  than  many 
sparrows." 

In  the  presence  of  perhaps  three  thousand  persons, 
in  and  about  our  tents,  one  of  the  Sabbath  afternoons 
while  our  tent  arrangement  was  the  order  of  the  day, 
an  interesting  young  lady  came  forward  to  our  humble 
altar,  and  meekly  knelt  down  upon  the  straw,  and  ear- 
nestly sought  for  "peace."  It  was  not  long  before  she 
realized  the  evidence  that  God  hath  power  on  earth  to 
forgive  sin,  and  felt  from  the  heart  she  could  sing— 

**  The  ^milings  of  thy  face, 
IIow  amiable  they  are  ! 
'Tis  Heaven  to  rest  in  thine  embrace, 
And  nowhere  else  but  there. 


280  THIRTEEN   years'    EXPERIENCE 

Tho  banished  called  homo. 

"  Thou  art  the  sea  of  love, 

Where  all  my  pleasures  roll ; 
The  circle  where  my  passions  move, 
And  centre  of  my  soul." 

This  young  lady's  parents  were  not  favourable  to 
Methodism,  and  her  profession  of  religion  in  this  place 
was  so  offensive  to  them  that  she  either  had  to  renounce 
the  meeting  and  Methodism,  or  leave  home.  Of  the  two 
evils  she  chose  the  latter,  (if  it  was  an  evil !)  and  took 
leave  of  her  father's  house.  And,  strange  to  tell,  her 
mother  was  more  antagonistic  than  the  father ;  but  the 
girl  had  faith  to  believe  that  the  Lord  would  provide, 
and  in  her  Bible  she  read,  for  her  comfort  in  this  hour 
that  tried  her  soul,  "  When  father  and  mother  forsake 
me,  then  the  Lord  will  take  me  up."  She  had  not  been 
in  exile  long  before  her  mother  was  taken  sick,  and  that 
sickness  ended  in  death.     How  great  the  change,  and 

how  soon  did  she  require  that  E should  come  home  ! 

She  was  not  only  ready  to  ask  pardon  for  the  course  she 
had  pursued,  but  desired  her  daughter  to  pray  for  her. 
The  affection  of  that  child  was  never  so  strong  before 
for  her  mother.  She  wept  over  her  parent ;  she  spent 
days  and  nights  in  prayer  that  her  mother  might  be  pre- 
pared to  meet  her  God.  She  was  a  prevailing  Israel. 
Under  the  circumstances,  she  had  more  influence  with 
her  mother  than  any  other  person  could  have  had.  This 
child  was  used  as  God's  instrument  in  the  salvation  of 


m   THE   ITINERANCY.  281 

Forsake  all.  A  strife  in  the  tents. 

her  mother.  And  awhile  before  the  mother  closed  her 
ejes  on  all  terrestrial  things  she  said  to  her,  '^  I  commit 
the  younger  children  to  your  care ;  raise  them  right,  and 
to  love  and  serve  the  Lord."  Dear  reader,  under  all 
circumstances  "be  kind  to  thy  mother."  "  Honour  thy 
father  and  thy  mother,  that  thy  days  may  be  long  in  the 
land  which  the  Lord  thy  God  giveth  thee." 

I  hope,  young  reader,  if  you  should,  upon  embracing 
religion  among  the  Methodists,  or  elsewhere,  be  opposed, 
you  will  be  firm,  as  was  the  young  lady  referred  to.  And 
if  it  is  necessary,  sooner  leave  your  own  father  s  house, 
"  forsake  all,"  rather  than  "  cast  away  your  confidence." 
You  will  be  brought  back  again,  and  be  the  bright  star 
to  guide  your  parents,  and  the  entire  family,  to  the  haven 
of  repose.  The  young  lady  of  whom  I  have  been  writing 
is  still  happy  in  religion,  and,  as  my  readers  might  sup- 
pose, useful  in  the  chuixh,  of  which  she  is  a  burning  and 
a  shininoj  light. 

It  is  said  in  God's  Word,  "  Woe  to  him  that  striveth 
with  his  Maker."  There  was,  one  night,  a  strife  in  our 
tents,  when  this  scripture  forcibly  presented  itself  to 
my  mind.  The  circumstances  were  as  follows : — A 
young  lady  was  at  our  altar,  seeking  the  Lord  very 
ardently ;  her  mother,  who  was  very  indignant  towards 
"the  people  called  Methodists,"  heard  what  was  going 
on ;  she  came  into  our  meeting  much  excited,  and  said 
to  me,  "You  have  my  daughter  down  there,"  pointing 
24* 


282  THIRTEEN   YEAHS'    EXrERIENCE 

Opposing  parents  defeated . 

to  the  mourners'  bench,  "  and  I  want  her  out  as  soon  as 
possible."  L  did  my  utmost  to  induce  her  to  let  her 
alone.  I  told  her,  she  was  very  sincere,  and  it  would 
be  very  wrong  to  remove  her.  An  influential  gentle- 
man, not  a  member  of  any  church,  saw  the  state  of  the 
case,  and  he  united  with  me  in  persuading  the  furious 
mother  to  be  calm,  and  not  to  think  of  removing  the 
young  woman.     Said  I  to  her,  "  If  you  will  not  hear 

me  on  this  matter,  hear  Mr.  T ."     She  was  more 

than  ever  excited,  and  said,  "I  don't  care  for  any  man, 
I  will  have  her  ;  and  if  you  don't  give  her  to  me  at  once, 
I  will  go  home,  and  get  the  old  man,  and  we  will  take 
her  by  force."  She  went,  sure  enough,  like  an  arrow 
flying  through  the  air.  I  went  into  the  centre  of  the 
meeting,  took  my  stand  upon  a  bench,  and  elevated  my 
voice  as  much  as  possible.  The  case  was  fairly  stated ; 
and  I  said  to  the  brethren,  who  were  all  deeply 
interested,  "If  ever  you  prayed  in  faith,  do  it  now;  if 
possible,  before  the  old  people  get  here  to  bear  off  the 
young  woman,  we  will  have  her  converted,  and  then  she 
will  work  her  way."  I  never  in  all  my  life  saw  a 
greater  disposition  to  conquer — such  praying  I  never 
heard  before.  It  was  efi'ectual;  just  as  the  opposing 
parents  made  their  appearance,  the  blessing  came,  the 
shout  of  the  new-born  soul  was  heard ;  the  daucrhter 
sustained  a  new  relation ;  she  was  adopted  that  moment, 
and  could  say, 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  283 

Willing  to  have  a  revival  in  God's  way. 

"  With  confidence  I  now  draw  nigh, 
And  Father,   Abba  Father  cry." 

Her  Heavenly  Fatlier  gave  her  "good  things."  Such 
things  she  never  realized  before.  The  old  folks  looked 
on  with  amazement,  but  did  not  lay  hands  on  her.  In 
this  we  see  the  fulfilment  of  the  word  of  the  Lord, 
"  Every  one  that  asketh  receiveth ;  and  he  that  seeketh 
findeth;  and  to  him  that  knocketh,  it  shall  be  opened." 
The  meetings  were  earnestly  conducted,  and  I  felt  it 
my  duty  then,  as  at  other  times,  to  adhere  to  the  direc- 
tion, "  Remove  not  the  ancient  landmark,  which  thy 
fathers  have  set."  In  order  to  carry  forward  our  enter- 
prise, and  in  order  to  make  this  world  a  Paradise,  I 
believe  that  extensive,  thorough,  and  numerous  revivals 
of  religion  are  requisite.  We  felt  willing  to  have  a  re- 
vival here  in  God's  way.  It  is  too  frequent  that  we 
want  revivals  in  ■  our  own  style.  "  There  must  be  no 
deep  sighs,  heavy  groans,  loud  songs,  fervent  prayers, 
awful  sermons,  rousing  exhortations;  and,  above-  all, 
there  must  be  no  shouting;  for  this  is  confusion."  My 
doctrine  is,  if  he  "  come  in  the  sweet  still  voice,"  Amen  ! 
if  "in  the  fire,"  Amen !  if  "in  the  whirlwind,"  Amen  ! 
if  "in  the  earthquake,"  my  soul  says,  Amen!  In 
my  heart,  I  wish  all  the  people  would  say.  Amen  ! 
especially  all  our  Methodist  people.  Then  I  think, 
"they  that  wait  upon  the  Lord  shall  renew  their 
strength;  they  shall  mount  up  with  wings  as  eagles; 


284  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

The  spiritual  work  is  above  all. 

tliey  shall  run  and  not  be  weary ;  and  they  shall  walk 
and  not  faint."  And  soon  the  happy  day  would  roll  on, 
when  ''the  wilderness  and  the  solitary  place  shall  be 
glad  for  them ;  and  the  desert  shall  rejoice,  and  blossom 
as  the  rose." 

The  pitching  of  the  tents  at  the  corner  of  Sixteenth 
and  Coates  Streets,  and  the  revival  of  religion  that  fol- 
lowed, were  events  not  soon  to  be  forgotten.  Near  this 
spot  are  the  State  s  Prison  and  House  of  Refuge,  and, 
formerly,  near  this  place  criminals  used  to  he  hung; 
and  here  the  military  used  to  encamp,  and  be  disciplined 
and  reviewed.  These  things  have  called  out  the  co-opera- 
tion of  the  talent,  wealth,  and  influence  of  the  great  of 
our  state  and  country.  And  what  have  they  done? 
How  many  have  our  expensive  "  Houses  of  Refuge," 
and  our  "Penitentiary,"  near  us,  reformed?  I  would 
not  be  considered  as  arraying  myself  against  them.  They 
are  necessary,  in  the  present  state  of  society.  But  this 
spiritual  work  is  above  all.  It  is  true,  in  our  enterprise, 
we  could  not  boast  of  "  many  wise  men  after  the  flesh, 
not  many  mighty,  not  many  noble;"  and,  emphatically, 
many  considered  this  arrangement  for  purposes  of  salva- 
tion "foolish"  and  "weak."  Nevertheless,  about  one 
hundred  souls,  during  our  tent  meetings,  were  saved  by 
the  "  foolishness  of  preaching."  And  who  can  tell  where 
it  will  stop  ?  "  As  the  pebble,  dropped  into  the  lake, 
puts  its  waters  into  motion,  and  circle  rises  after  circle, 


IN   THE  ITINERANCY.  285 

The  Gospel  the  panacea  for  the  miseries  of  the  world. 

till  all  is  stirred,  and  the  whole  borders  around  are  bathed 
by  the  waters" — so,  we  think,  this  gospel  beginning, 
though  small  at  first,  and  despised  by  many  in  the 
neighbourhood,  has  proved  the  means  of  an  excitejnent, 
which"  shall  grow  and  increase,  from  person  to  person,  and 
from  place  to  place,  and  from  age  to  age,  until  the  influence 
shall  reach  eternity  itself,  and  encircle  the  throne  of  God 
with  a  halo  of  glory.  If  the  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ 
could  be  preached  everywhere,  and  if  the  people  could 
everywhere  in  our  land  be  brought  to  ''  bow  to  the  sceptre 
of  his  word,"  the  founding  of  Penitentiaries  and  Houses 
of  Refuge  would  not  be  requisite ;  for  there  would  be 
none  to  occupy  them.  And  the  death-warrant  of  a 
fellow-citizen  would  never  again  be  signed,  or  a  gallows 
ever  erected  for  the  purpose  of  dealing  out  death  to  the 
murderer.  If  the  gospel  can  have  a  general  sway,  then 
the  "trump  of  the  warrior  and  the  clangour  of  arms 
will  never  be  heard  to  echo  on  our  mountains,  or  in  our 
valleys  ;  garments  dyed  in  blood  will  for  ever  pass  away." 
May  the  day  come,  speedily,  when  the  "  everlasting 
gospel"  shall  be  preached  -'unto  them  that  dwell  on  the 
earth,  and  to  every  nation,  and  kindred,  and  tongue, 
and  people  !"  Then  our  armies  might  be  disbanded,  and 
a  general  rally  take  place  under  the  banner  of  Him  who 
said,  "  My  kingdom  is  not  of  this  world.  If  my  kingdom 
were  of  this  world,  then  would  my  servants  fight." 

It  would  be  well  for  philanthropists  and  benefactors 


286  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPEllIENCE 

Importance  of  Church  extension. 

to  inquire,  How  can  we  most  efficiently,  with  our  means, 
ameliorate  the  condition  of  our  fellow-men,  and  bring 
about  a  state  of  pure  morals  ?  How  can  we  raise  the 
fallen  and  cheer  the  faint  ?  I  would  answer,  One  of  the 
most  effectual  ways  is,  to  aid  the  cause  of  '^  church 
extension y  Let  these  ^'  bulwarks  of  our  land"  be  reared 
in  every  proper  place,  and  let  the  pure  gospel  be  faith- 
fully proclaimed.  And  let  measures  be  adopted  to  con- 
vince the  "poor"  and  the  "outcasts"  that  they  are  wel- 
come, and  that  it  is  desired  that  they  should,  with  their 
wives  and  children,  "  assemble  themselves  together"  at 
the  house  of  prayer.  What  changes  in  the  moral  aspect 
of  affairs  take  place  speedily  in  every  location  where 
this  course  is  pursued !  The  gospel  can  effect  what  other 
things  fail  to  accomplish.  This  may  be  represented  in 
a  striking  light  by  a  verse  of  one  of  our  hymns : — 

**But  something  yet  can  do  the  deed, 
And  that  blest  something  much  I  need; 
Thy  spirit  can  from  dross  refine, 
And  melt  and  change  this  heart  of  mine." 

The  ministers,  both  local  and  travelling,  aided  me  in 
this  camp  meeting,  as  it  was  called  by  some  of  the  city 
papers,  who  took  occasion  to  speak  of  our  affairs,  not, 
however,  in  a  disrespectful  manner.  I  do  not  think  any 
preacher  did  me  more  efficient  service  than  Kev.  David 
H.  Kollock,   of  this  city,   who  has  since  crossed  the 


IN  THE   ITINERANCY.  287 

Key.  David  H.  Kollock. 

Stream  of  Jordan.  For  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  cen- 
tury this  beloved  brother  did  "  the  work  of  an  evange- 
list." I  had  the  pleasure  of  forming  his  acquaintance  in 
the  summer  of  1840,  at  a  watering  place,  before  I  was 
a  minister  of  the  gospel.  I  observed  him  closely ;  he 
was  not  there  ^^  ashamed  of  the  gospel."  He  preached 
in  the  church  of  our  denomination  with  uncommon  power. 
I  thought  to  myself  that  that  brother  could  with  pro- 
priety say,  "  The  zeal  of  thine  house  hath  eaten  me 
up."  I  found  him  ever  after  the  same  faithful  labourer 
in  "the  vineyard  of  the  Lord."  The  sermons  he  preached 
in  our  tent  meetings  surpassed  any  for  effect  I  ever  heard 
him  preach — not  a  few  were  convicted.  And  not  only 
in  this  place,  but  elsewhere,  his  labours  were  profitable. 
He  "  turned  many  to  righteousness."  The  Church  sus- 
tained a  great  loss  when  he  fell  a  victim  to  death,  but 
our  loss  is  his  gain.  He  could  say  with  Paul,  "  For  to 
me  to  live  is  Christ,  and  to  die  is  gain."  This  event 
took  place  May  12,  1855.  Awhile  before  the  time  of 
his  departure  arrived,  a  friend  said,  "  Brother  Kollock, 
this  is  a  severe  ordeal  you  are  passing  through."  His 
reply  was,  "Yes,  but  the  grace  of  God  is  all  sufficient." 
He  frequently  said,  as  the  cancer  was  doing  its  work, 
"All  is  well,  all  is  well."  His  pastor.  Rev.  M.  D. 
Kurtz,  informed  me  he  was  frequently  with  him.  Among 
his  last  visits,  he  asked  him,  "  Do  you  find  the  Saviour 
precious?"    He  answered,  "I  do."     The  passage  was 


288  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 


His  death  and  funeral. 


quoted,  ''  Yea,  though  I  pass  through  the  valley  of  the 
shadow  of  death,  I  will  fear  no  evil,  for  thou  art  with 
me  ;  thy  rod  and  thy  staff  they  comfort  me."  He  could 
scarcely  then  articulate,  but  looked  at  his  pastor,  and 
assented.  He  tried,  in  the  hour  of  death,  after  calling 
his  children  to  him,  to  exhort  them  to  meet  him  in  Hea- 
ven. And  now  he  is  gone.  The  struggles  of  reluctant 
nature  are  over.  The  body  sleeps  in  death ;  the  soul 
has  launched  into  the  invisible  state,  surrounded  by 
guardian  angels  instead  of  weeping  friends.  The  vale 
of  tears  is  left  behind.  Farewell,  for  ever,  the  realms  of 
woe.  No  doubt  he  has  safely  arrived  on  the  frontiers 
of  inexpressible  felicity.  The  funeral  was  largely  at- 
tended; he  was  generally  esteemed.  Business  in  the 
part  of  Philadelphia  where  he  resided,  to  a  considerable 
extent  was  suspended.  Rev.  Francis  Hodson,  D.D.,  and 
Rev.  Thomas  T.  Tasker,  officiated.  The  latter  had  been 
intimately  associated  with  him  for  many  years,  and  knew 
him  well.  Among  other  things,  he  said,  "  I  do  not  be- 
lieve Rev.  David  H.  Kollock  ever  preached  a  sermon,  or 
offered  a  public  prayer,  but  that  the  convicting  power  of 
the  Holy  Spirit  accompanied  those  efforts  to  some  poor 
sinner's  heart." 

The  weather  becoming  cool,  we  found  it  necessary 
to  strike  our  tents,  and  make  other  arrangements  for 
future  toils  and  triumphs,  until  we  could  get  the  new 
church  completed,  the  corner-stone  of  which  had  re- 


IN  THE   ITINERANCY.  289 

The  last  night  in  the  tents. 

cently  been  laid.  The  plan  tliat  we  adopted  will  be  seen 
in  the  following  chapter.  The  last  night  we  held  meet- 
ing in  the  tents,  the  plan  of  our  future  place  of  worship 
was  pointed  out.  Some  thought  it  was  impossible ;  but 
one  faithful  brother  shouted  prospectively,  and  came  to 
me,  and  said,  "Brother  Manship,  I  see  it  by  faith,  now. 
Glory!  Glory!!" 

"Faith  lends  its  realizing  light, 

The  clouds  disperse,  the  shadows  fly ; 
The  Invisible  appears  in  sight, 
And  God  is  seen  by  mortal  eye." 


CHAPTER  XII. 

Plank  Temporary  Hedding  Church" — Diflficulties  to  be  surmounted 
— The  Work  completed  in  ten  days — Dedicated  by  Rev.  John  Iler- 
sey — Wanted  one  to  cover  an  Acre  of  Ground — A  noble  Bequest 
by  a  coloured  Man — Rich  Members  should  remember  the  Church 
in  their  Wills — Names  given  to  our  temporary  Church — Mrs. 
Palmer — Gas-lights  suddenly  go  out — Husbands,  love  your  Wives 
— German  Infidel  wants  to  drag  his  Wife  from  the  Altar — Not  much 
Difi&culty  in  Revival  Work,  with  Men  of  Reason — Revival  carried 
on  through  Christmas  Holidays — Niue  Sermons  at  the  Dedication — 
Missionary  Meeting — James  Stewart  "Crossing  Jordan" — "Out 
of  the  Eater  came  forth  Meat,  out  of  the  Strong  came  forth  Sweet- 
ness"— My  first  Donation  to  a  Church — Saint  Peter's  Church  in 
Reading — Bishop  Ames. 


A 


S  my  readers  will  naturally  conclude,  there  was  at 
this  place  much  religious   interest.     A  large  con- 
25 


290  THIRTEEN    YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

Plan  of  Plank  Church  proposed. 

gregation  had  been  meeting  here  from  time  to  time,  and 
as  the  revival  work  had  been  going  on,  the  people 
eagerly  desired  to  worship  with  us.  The  new  church 
would  not  be  ready  for  use,  as  it  related  to  the  main 
part,  under  twelve  months ;  and  the  little  church  only 
held  about  one  hundred  and  fifty.  What  must  be  done  ? 
was  the  natural  inquiry.  It  was  in  my  heart  "  To  build 
an  house  for  the  name  of  the  Lord  God  of  Israel."  My 
proposal  to  the  brethren  was  to  let  the  house  be  plank ; 
in  dimensions  to  be  about  forty  by  one  hundred  feet. 
A  number  of  difficulties  were  presented ;  it  was  thought 
it  would  be  burnt  down.  I  told  them  we  would  have  it 
insured,  and.  Phoenix-like,  another  would  arise  from  its 
ashes.  It  was  thought,  as  it  was  against  the  law  to 
rear  frame  houses,  we  could  not  get  a  permit.  We  were 
soon  relieved  of  this  difficulty,  as  there  were  good  men 
in  the  Board  of  Commissioners  who  took  an  interest  in 
our  welfare,  and  through  their  agency  we  had  the 
privilege  to  proceed.  It  was  thought  those  who  owned 
the  land  would  not  allow  us  the  privilege  to  locate  this 
temporary  house.  Be  it  spoken  to  the  credit  of  the 
"  St.  George's  Board  of  Trustees,"  the  request  for  the 
use  of  the  ground  was  unanimously  granted.  Some 
members  of  the  "  Hedding  Board  of  Trustees"  thought 
they  could  not  conscientiously  go  into  this  arrangement ; 
supposing  that  the  community  would  charge  them  with 
a  foolish  outlay  of  money.     I  told  the  brethren  I  did 


IN   THE   ITIXERANCY.  291 

Fiuislied  in  ten  days.  Dedication.  Rev.  John  Hersey. 

not  wonder  that  they  hesitated ;  for  many,  even  of  the 
members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  would 
regard  this  as  a  piece  of  folly ;  but  I  told  them,  it  was 
the  only  thing,  in  our  weak  state,  with  such  heavy 
liabilities  upon  us,  that  would  save  us ;  and,  as  I  was 
deeply  concerned  in  the  success  of  the  enterprise,  I 
should,  if  necessary,  buy  the  lumber  on  my  own  respon- 
sibility. Three  gentlemen  of  our  Board  united,  however, 
with  me,  viz.  John  Miller,  Morris  Morris,  and  Abner  F. 
Old ;  and  we  purchased  the  lumber,  and  called  for  volun- 
teers to  aid  in  the  erection  of  the  "  Temporary  Hedding 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church."  There  were,  some  days, 
as  many  as  forty  employed,  some  with  their  mallets  and 
chisels,  some  with  their  saws  and  planes.  Much  of  the 
work  was  done  gratuitously.  Mr.  Rifford  R.  Hollowell 
was  the  supervisor  of  the  work.  This  matter  was  so  ener- 
getically prosecuted,  that  in  ten  days,  it  was  accomplished 
in  a  workmanlike  manner.  Gas  and  fixtures  being  intro- 
duced, all  things  being  ready,  the  arrangement  was  made 
to  have  it  solemnly  dedicated  to  the  worship  of  Almighty 
God,  on  the  16th  of  October,  1853. 

The  dedication  services  were  performed  by  Rev. 
John  Hersey.  We  had  a  plain  house,  and  a  very 
plain  minister,  who  preached  so  plainly,  that  the  ''  "vray- 
faring  men,  though  fools,"  could  readily  understand. 
Brother  Hersey  was  very  happy  in  his  labours  that  day. 
His  sermons  proved  him  to  be  no  novice  in  the  Holy 


292  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

riank  Church  crowded.  Many  converted. 

Scriptures.  I  never  saw  a  more  attentive  audience. 
The  meetings  were  very  large,  and,  at  the  evening 
service,  several  were  at  the  altar,  and,  at  least,  two  pro- 
fessed to  obtain  religion.  My  poor  heart  was  greatly 
cheered  to  see  so  many  attend.  No  more  attended, 
however,  than  I  expected,  as  my  readers  will  perceive 
from  the  following  interview  and  conversation,  that  took 
place  between  myself  and  a  brother  in  the  ministry, 
while  we  were  building  the  temporary  house.  Said  he, 
"Brother  Manship,  what  is  the  use  of  building  the  house 
so  large  ?  Do  you  suppose  the  people  in  Philadelphia 
will  attend  preaching  in  such  a  place  as  this?"  I 
replied,  "  Most  assuredly  I  expect  them  to  fill  the  house. 
I  deeply  regret  we  have  not  more  ground ;  we  are,  as 
you  see,  occupying  every  inch  we  can ;  and  if  we  had  an 
acre,  and  were  to  build  a  Methodist  Church  of  this 
description  to  cover  it  entirely,  it  would  be  filled."  He 
replied,  "You  have  more  faith  and  enthusiasm  than 
I  have."  But  what  has  the  sequel  proved?  The  reader 
will  see  by  perusing  this  narrative. 

Many  interesting  circumstances  may  be  mentioned 
in  connexion  with  this  plain  house,  which  stood  exactly 
twelve  months,  and  in  which  meetings  were  continued, 
with  but  little  intermission,  during  the  entire  year ;  and 
during  that  year,  memorable  in  the  history  of  "  Hedding 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,"  at  least  five  or  six  hun- 
dred souls  were  happily  converted. 


i>7  THE  ITi^^:RAXCY.  293 

An  exemplary  coloured  man.  Xames  given  to  Plank  Church. 

We  were  glad  to  get  help  in  our  beginning  from  any 
quarter ;  and  I  wish  to  mention  the  services  of  an  aged, 
but  active  and  industrious  coloured  man,  by  the  name 
of  Saulsbury.  He  hauled  the  lumber  for  the  ^'  Plank 
Church,"  as  he  kept  a  horse  and  cart,  and  took  a  deep 
interest  in  our  welfare.  About  the  time  the  house  was 
finished,  he  was  taken  ill,  and  he  soon  died,  and  I  delivered 
a  funeral  discourse  to  a  large  audience.  This  faithful 
coloured  man,  on  his  dying  bed,  bequeathed  to  the 
Plank  Church  committee  the  sum  of  five  dollars  !  Soon 
after  his  burial,  his  widow  paid  it  in  gold,  baptizing  it 
with  her  tears.  We  did  not  wish  to  take  it,  but  she 
insisted  upon  it,  and  said,  "  It  was  his  last  wish,  and  she 
desired  to  carry  it  out."  Has  not  this  simple-hearted 
coloured  man  set  an  example  worthy  of  imitation  ? 
How  comparatively  few,  of  the  many  able  members  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  in  making  their  wills, 
think  of  that  church,  that  has  been,  in  many  cases,  the 
means  of  making  their  estates ;  but  give  a  direction  to 
their  property,  which  leads  to  its  being  "wasted  with 
riotous  living." 

Among  the  thousands  that  attended  this  remarkable 
church,  as  we  might  reasonably  suppose,  many  attended 
that  were  disposed  to  apply  hard  names  to  our  place  of 
worship.  Some  for  sport  called  it  the  "  Crystal  Palace ;" 
and  others  called  it,  while  thoy  saw  persons  getting 
converted,  "  Tlie  Plank  Road  to  heaven.''     The  people 

25  * 


294  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

Mrs.  Phcebe  Palmer. 

of  God  also  would  piously  give  it  names.  I  have  heard 
it  called,  ''Noah's  Ark."  There  was  force,  I  thought,  in 
this  name.  When  Noah  was  constructing  his  huge 
building,  many  thought,  he  is  beside  himself,  what  is  the 
use  of  building  such  a  mammoth  vessel  to  sail  on  dry 
land?  The  "Plank  Church"  was  called  the  ''Life 
Boat.''  Many  a  perishing  soul  was  rescued  and  saved 
by  it.  No  name  that  I  heard  applied  to  it,  however, 
pleased  me  better,  than  the  one  given  by  Kev.  Thomas 
J.  Quigley ;  when  he  preached  in  it,  and  saw  the  many 
there,  that  wished  to  learn  of  Jesus,  he  said,  "  Brother 
Manshi|),  I  think  the  'Centi^al  Salvation  Seminar^/'  is 
a  most  appropriate  name  for  your  church." 

We  were  favoured  with  the  presence  and  labours  of 
Mrs.  Palmer,  of  New  York.  She  attracted  much  atten- 
tion, as  it  was  uncommon  to  hear  a  lady  speak  in  public. 
She  spoke  with  great  modesty ;  so  much  so,  if  I  had  been 
previously  a  little  prejudiced,  that  feeling  would  all  have 
passed  away.  Her  views  on  sanctification  were  simple, 
and  easily  comprehended.  Many  were  ready  to  say, 
through  her  labours  among  us, 

"  0 !  for  a  closer  walk  with  God ! 

A  calm  and  heavenly  frame ; 

A  light  to  shine  upon  the  road 

That  leads  me  to  the  Lamb." 

I  found  this  Chriotian  lady  not  only  ready  to  work  in 
this  way,  but  she  was  efScient  in  pointing  the  penitent 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  295 

Incident  at  a  hotel.  Second  Sunday  night  in  Plank  Church. 

to  tlie  Lamb  of  God.  In  company  witli  her,  mj  -vyife, 
and  others,  I  spent  an  afternoon  at  the  house  of  a  hotel- 
keeper.  His  wife  was  pious,  and  I  was  intimate  with  the 
family.  I  always  had  felt  much  timidity  in  pressing 
religious  matters  upon  the  gentleman  of  the  house,  who 
was  a  very  kind  man,  and  did  not  throw  any  obstruc- 
tions in  the  wa^y  of  his  family  on  matters  of  conscience 
and  religion.  At  the  tea-table,  Mrs.  Palmer  felt  it 
her  duty  to  urge  him  to  give  his  heart  to  God,  and 
that  very  night  to  go  to  the  church  and  put  in  his  plea 
for  mercy.  I  shuddered;  I  was  apprehensive  of  an 
eruption ;  I  feared,  as  she  was  a  stranger  to  him,  her 
feelings  might  be  wounded.  I  was  agreeably  disappointed. 
When  the  time  came  to  depart,  I  sung  a  hymn,  and  called 
on  Mrs.  Palmer  to  pray.  I  thiftk  it  likely  that  that 
'prayer  made  an  impression  that  will  never,  as  long  as 
memory  lasts,  be  effaced.  When  she  gave  him  the  part- 
ing hand,  he  said,  "  I  have  been  much  pleased  with  your 
visit;  I  believe  in  your  piety;  and,  if  ever  you  come 
this  way  again,  believe  me,  I  shall  be  very  glad  to  see 
you.  I  will  think  of  what  you  have  said  to  me." 
''Blessed  are  ye  that  sow  beside  all  waters." 

The  second  Sunday  night  that  we  spent  in  the  Flarik 
Clmrch,  was  a  memorable  time,  in  more  ways  than  one. 
Many  were  in  attendance ;  a  house  was  never  more 
densely  crowded.  The  altar  was  filled  with  penitents ; 
and,  in  the  midst  of  the  prayer  meeting,  a  lady  sitting 


296         THIRTEEN  YEARS'  EXPERIENCE 

Lights  go  out.  Effect  on  some  present. 

in  her  seat,  about  midway  the  house,  was  suddenly  and 
most  powerfully  converted.  She  arose  in  the  greatest 
ecstasy,  and  praised  the  Lord  for  the  great  things  which 
he  had  done  for  her.  She  was  the  daughter  of  one  of 
our  oldest  and  best  members ;  much  interest  was  felt  in 
her  case,  and  "  all  partook  the  glorious  bliss."  And  in 
the  midst  of  our  triumph,  as  quick  as  thought,  the  gas- 
lights were  extinguished,  and  we  were  left  in  total  dark- 
ness. There  were,  perhaps,  from  twelve  to  fourteen 
hundred  persons  pressed  into  our  chapel.  Some  were 
shouting,  some  were  crying  for  mercy.  Persons,  in  some 
instances,  were  much  terrified  ;  they  concluded  an  enemy 
had  done  it.  But  it  was  purely  accidental ;  the  fluid 
had  leaked  out  of  the  meter,  or  exhausted  itself  in  some 
way ;  and,  as  soon  as  it  was  filled  up,  our  lights  resumed 
their  brilliancy.  The  darkness  remained  for  about  five 
or  ten  minutes  ;  the  singing  went  steadily  on  at  the  altar, 
and,  in  the  mean  time,  two  souls  were  brought  out  of 
darkness  into  lighL  They  could  joyfully  say,  God  ^'hath 
shined  in  our  hearts,  to  give  the  light  of  the  knowledge 
of  the  glory  of  God  in  the  face  of  Jesus  Christ."  There 
were  several  Roman  Catholics  there,  that  night,  from  the 
Emerald  Isle;  one  or  two,  I  was  informed,  afi'righted, 
leaped  out  of  one  of  the  windows.  A  friend  of  mine 
took  a  seat  in  the  midst  of  them ;  they  were  females ; 
there  was  a  great  panic  among  them,  and  mistaking  my 
friend  for  one  of  their  company,  she  was  laid  hold  of 


IN   THE   ITmERANCY.  297 


Conversion  of  a  Romanist. 


"with  mucli  eagerness,  and  addressed  as  follows  :  "  And, 
Biddy,  is  this  you?  this  must  be  the  devil's  works."  I 
suppose  they  concluded  they  were  very  near  purgatory. 
In  a  little  while  the  agitation  was  over,  and  God's  people 
could  sing, 

"In  darkest  shades,  if  thou  appear, 
My  dawning  is  begun  ; 
Thou  art  my  soul's  bright  morning  star, 
And  thou  my  rising  sun. 

**  The  opening  heavens  around  me  shine 
With  beams  of  sacred  bliss. 
If  Jesus  shows  his  mercy  mine. 
And  whispers  I  am  his." 

In  our  Plank  Church  meetings,  there  were  persons 
that  attended  that  would  not  have  thought  of  attending 
a  Methodist  meeting  in  a  regular  city  church ;  and  occa- 
sionally we  had,  among  others,  a  Roman  Catholic  con- 
verted to  God.  A  very  valuable  man  of  this  persuasion 
experienced  with  us  the  ^'  peace  of  God,  which  passeth 
all  understanding."  He  found  his  wife  a  great  barrier. 
She  would,  if  she  had  an  opportunity,  destroy  his  hymn 
book  and  Bible  ;  and  did  everything  in  her  power  to  keep 
him  away  from  the  class  meeting,  and  other  Methodist 
meetings.  The  last  time  I  conversed  with  him,  he  informed 
me  he  experienced  much  difficulty,  owing  to  her  disposi- 
tion to  hide  his  clothes,  and  thus  keep  him  away  from 
church.     He  also  stated  to  me,  however,  that  she  said : 


298  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

Wife  of  a  German  infidel  converted. 

*' Henry,  your  Methodist  religion  makes  you  a  better 
husband."  May  this  brother,  or  any  other  brother  in 
similar  circumstances,  never  say,  "  I  have  married  a  wife, 
and  cannot  come !"  I  say  you  can  come,  in  a  free 
country ;  and  you  can,  by  being  faithful  and  persevering, 
bring  your  wife  with  you.  The  apostle  says,  "  Husbands, 
love  your  wives."  And  shall  we  not  give  an  evidence  of 
our  love  by  exerting  all  our  power,  in  the  name  of  the 
Lord,  in  converting  them  from  the  superstitions  of  the 
Church  of  Rome  ? 

I  saw  a  lady  converted  in  the  Plank  Church  one 
night,  greatly  to  the  annoyance  of  her  wicked  husband, 
who  came  there  to  drag  her  from  the  altar,  if  she  went 
to  it.  Notwithstanding  his  threat,  she  did  go.  And,  be 
it  spoken  to  his  shame,  he  undertook  to  carry  his  purpose 
into  execution.  He  was  a  German  infidel.  I  saw  him 
coming  towards  her ;  he  was  very  angry.  I  spoke  to 
him  as  one  having  authority.  Said  I  to  him,  "  I  am  the 
captain  of  this  ship,  and  you  can't  have  this  penitent 
yet  awhile."  I  took  him  down  to  the  door,  and  reasoned 
with  him.  He  said,  "It  is  hard  a  man  can't  control  his 
)wn  wife."  I  told  him,  in  matters  of  religion  and  con- 
icience,  he  had  no  right  to  interfere.  He  threatened  to 
use  harsh  means.  I  said,  "If  you  do,  you  arc  a 
demon  in  human  shape.  Still,  she  should  not  fear  you; 
'  fear  not  them  which  kill  the  body,  but  are  not  able  to 
Kill  the  soul ;  but  rather  fear  him  which  is  able  to  destroy 


IN   THE    ITINERAXCY.  299 

Harsh  treatment  by  her  husband. 

both  soul  and  bodj  in  h^ll.'  "  While  our  conversation 
was  going  on,  she  was  happily  converted,  and  leaped  and 
shouted  all  over  the  house.  He  was  in  a  great  rage ;  T 
felt  for  her,  and  in  my  heart  desired,  almost,  that  she 
could  take  wings  "like  a  dove,"  and  "fly  away  and  be 
at  rest."  After  awhile,  I  exhorted  her  to  go  along  with 
him.  As  she  passed  out,  she  said,  "  Pray  for  me  !  pray 
for  me  ! !"  They  went  down  Coates  Street,  the  furious 
husband  cursing  and  swearing,  and  using  abusive  language 
towards  her  and  the  Methodists  ;  but  she  went  rejoicing, 
filled  with  glory  and  with  God.  "  Can  two  walk  together, 
except  they  be  agreed?"  She  joined  our  Church,  but 
had  to  do  it  in  a  clandestine  manner,  this  unfeeling  hus- 
band watching  her  like  one  who  "  doth  hunt  a  partridge 
in  the  mountains."  "  Some  men  use  their  wives  as 
farmers'  girls  do  split  brooms;  when  new,  they  only 
sweep  the  parlour  with  them ;  then  the  kitchen ;  then 
scrub  with  them ;  then  take  them  for  oven-brooms ;  and, 
when  the  splits  are  burnt  off,  they  use  them  for  cow 
knockers.  0!  shame,  where  is  thy  blush!"  "While  I 
looked  at  him,  and  heard  his  threatening  remarks,  I  was 
reminded  of  the  lines  : — 

"  The  man  who  lays  his  hand  upon  a  woman, 
Save  in  the  way  of  kindness,  is  a  wretch, 
Whom  'twere  gross  flattery  to  call  a  coward." 

I,  after  awhile,  missed  her  from  the  church ;  I  do  not 
know  but  that  she  "cast  away  her  confidence,"  under 


300  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

A  lawyer's  wife  converted. 

the  circumstances.  How  awful  will  the  case  be,  if  she 
should  say  to  him  in  death,  or  at  the  judgment  seat  of 
Christ,  "Thou  art  the  cause  of  my  damnation!"  It  is 
very  difficult  to  manage  an  ignorant,  wicked  man. 
Though  it  is  said  "Ignorance  is  the  mother  of  devo- 
tion," it  is  only  so  to  Popery,  not  to  pure  Christianity 
In  our  revivals,  we  seldom,  if  ever,  have  much  difficulty 
with  sensible,  well-informed  persons. 

I  will  give  an  instance  in  my  experietice — it  did  not 
however  occur  in  this  charge.  The  leading  facts  are  as 
follows  :  At  a  Methodist  protracted  meeting,  the  lady  of 
an  eminent  lawyer  was  powerfully  wrought  upon.  She, 
with  deep  humility,  presented  herself  at  the  altar  of 
prayer,  her  cheeks  bathed  with  tears.  Much  interest 
was  manifested  in  her  case.  And,  after  struggling  hard 
for  peace,  in  answer  to  prayer,  while  the  hymn  was 
being  sung,  entitled, 

"  Mercy's  free !  mercy's  free !" 

she  felt  she  could,  in  the  language  of  that  hymn, 
"Plant  herself  beneath  the  throne"  and  realize  in  her 
soul  that  mercy  is  free.  She  was  very  happy ;  she 
began  to  feel  and  pray  for  her  husband.  He  was  not 
present,  but,  at  the  time,  away  from  home.  No  sooner 
was  he  at  home,  than  he  was  informed,  "  Your  wife  has 
been  converted  in  the  Methodist  meeting."  He  was 
greatly  displeased,  and  said  to  her,  "  I  am  not  willing 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  301 

EflFect  on  the  husband.  His  conversion. 

for  you  to  join  the  Methodist  Church,  but  I  Avish  you  to 
unite  with  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church."  She  re- 
phed,  in  substance,  "  I  have  been  converted  among  the 
Methodists  ;  my  heart  is  with  them ;  you  must  allow  me, 
my  dear  husband,  in  this  important  matter,  to  take  my 
own  course."  He  was  much  excited,  and  no  doubt  power- 
fully tempted  by  the  devil,  and  exclaimed,  '^  You  will 
have  every  ragamuffin  in  this  town  calling  you  sister." 
And  in  his  frenzy  he  laid  hands  upon  a  loaded  pistol, 
and  said,  "I  had  as  well  die  at  once."  At  this  crisis, 
his  angel-like  companion,  who  loved  him  fondly,  flew 
into  his  arms,  and  exclaimed  most  tenderly,  "  My  dear 
husband,  do  thyself  no  harm."  The  weapon  of  death 
fell  from  his  hand ;  he  fell  upon  his  knees ;  his  proud 
heart  yielded.  He  was  anxious  for  the  hour  to  come 
for  the  exercises  at  the  church  to  begin,  and  he  was 
ready  to  say  to  his  wife,  "Whither  thou  goest  I  will 
go;  thy  people  shall  be  my  people,  and  thy  God  my 
God."  He  came  promptly  to  the  altar,  was  gloriously 
converted,  and  was  not  ashamed  to  confess  it  to  the 
world.  He  arose  in  the  presence  of  the  vast  congrega- 
tion, and  sung  with  great  spirit,  and  with  amazing  effect, 

"  I  have  sought  round  the  verdant  earth." 

One  object  among  others,  which  has  led  me  to  introduce 
this  incident,  with  which  I  am  familiar,  is  to  show  that 
when  we  meet  with  persons  opposed  to  the  work  of 

26 


302        THIRTEEN  YEARS'  EXPERIENCE 

Protracted  meeting  held  through  Christmas  holidays. 

revival  and  Methodism,  it  is  well  for  us  that  we  can 
say,  "Come  now,  and  let  us  reason  together;"  for  re- 
ligion and  Methodism  are  reasonable  things,  and  we,  as 
a  people,  will  try  to  "Be  ready  always  to  give  an 
answer  to  every  man  that  asketh  us  a  reason  of  the 
hope  that  is  in  us,  with  meekness  and  fear." 

Are  we  not  too  apt  to  think  protracted  meetings  can- 
not be  successfully  held  through  Christmas  holidays? 
It  is  true  there  is  generally  much  drinking  and  sporting. 
Theatres,  circuses,  and  other  places  of  amu;isement, 
calculated  to  decoy,  are  at  this  season  of  the  year  at 
their  acme.  Should  not  the  Church  spread  out  her 
wings,  and  cover  the  defenceless  heads,  especially  of  the 
young,  and  her  ministers  affectionately  say,  "  God  for- 
bid that  I  should  sin  against  the  Lord  in  ceasing  to  pray 
for  you;  but  I  will  teach  you  the  good  and  right  way." 
Our  meetings  on  this  occasion  were  deeply  imbued  with 
the  Holy  Spirit.  The  Sabbath  was  Christmas  day. 
Long  before  the  break  of  day,  our  forces  were  assem- 
bled in  the  Plank  Church.  The  day  was  spent  in  devo- 
tional exercises.  There  was  not  any  adjournment  till 
about  eight  o'clock  at  night.  The  Rev.  John  D.  Onins 
was  to  preach  at  the  usual  hour  that  night ;  but,  when 
he  came  in  and  saw  the  salvation  of  God,  the  altar  being 
crowded  with  mourners,  several  about  that  hour  being 
converted,  he  said  like  a  wisem^.n,  "Brother  Manship, 
it  is  no  use  to  preach  here  to-night,  God  is  doing  his 


IN  THE   ITINERAXCY.  303 

Watch  night.  Conversion  of  an  elderly  lady. 

work  in  his  own  way."  He  lieartilj  united  with  us  in 
the  altar  work.  There  was  a  stirring  love  feast  in  the 
afternoon ;  at  least  one  thousand  attended  it.  Young 
converts  would  arise,  and,  ready  to  face  a  frowning 
world,  many  of  them  said,  "  I  have  spent  many  a 
Christmas  in  sin  and  folly,  but  never  knew  what  plea- 
sure is  before."  New  Year's  day,  1854,  also  came  on 
the  Sabbath.  The  Saturday  night  preceding,  the  watch- 
night,  was  a  time  never  to  be  forgotten.  "VYe  watched 
the  old  year  out,  and  the  new  year  in,  and  not  a  few 
watched  all  night.  Among  the  many,  converted  on  this 
day,  was  a  lady  advanced  in  life,  and  who,  for  a  quarter 
of  a  century,  had  been  a  member  of  another  Church, 
but  had  never  known  her  sins  forgiven.  She  had  been 
hoping,  but  all  her  lifetime  she  had  been  "  subject  to 
bondage"  "through  fear,"  until  this  happy  day  in  her 
history,  when  she,  at  our  humble  altar  in  the  Plank 
Church,  received  powerfully  the  witness  of  the  Spirit. 
She  exclaimed  joyfully,  "  Glory  be  to  God,  he  hath  given 
me  a  New  Year's  gift  that  I  shall  never  forget !  Glory  ! 
glory  ! !"  She  is  a  faithful  and  substantial  member  of 
our  Church.  She  has  not  only  come  herself,  but  all  her 
house. 

While  the  work  of  revival  gloriously  went  forward, 
the  builders  were  doing  their  part  faithfully  in  com- 
pleting the  substantial  building.  And,  in  the  month  of 
March,  1854,  the  lecture  room  and  class  rooms  were  in 


804  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXRERIENCE 

Dedication  of  basement.  Nino  sermons. 

order  to  be  occupied.  And  the  Sabbath  preceding  our 
Conference,  March  19th,  1854,  was  fixed  upon  for  the 
dedication.  There  was  much  interest  at  the  time,  and 
we  well  knew  the  lecture  room  would  not  hold  the 
people  who  would  attend  on  this  interesting  occasion. 
It  was  requisite,  that  day,  that  we  should  raise  fifteen 
hundred  dollars ;  therefore  we  endeavoured  to  make 
arrangements  for  the  accommodation  of  all  who  might 
favour  us  with  their  presence.  The  "Little  Brick"  was 
close  at  hand,  the  Plank  Church  still  closer  to  the  new 
edifice ;  therefore  we  resolved  to  have  services  three 
times  in  each  place,  during  the  day.  By  this  means  we 
had  nine  sermons  preached. 

In  the  new  church  the  following  ministers  officiated : 
Eev.  Bishop  Scott,  Rev.  Francis  Hodson,  D.  D.,  and 
Rev.  John  Street.  In  the  Plank  Church,  Rev.  Joseph 
Castle,  Presiding  Elder  of  the  North  Philadelphia  Dis- 
trict, Rev.  David  "VY.  Bartine,  and  Rev.  Thomas  Jefierson 
Quigley.  In  the  little  church.  Rev.  William  E.  England, 
Rev.  William  B.  Wood,  and,  at  night  Rev.  William  E. 
England  again.  It  devolved  upon  me  to  do  the  best  I 
could  in  supervising  the  whole.  Each  place  was  filled  to 
overflowing,  but,  of  the  three  places,  the  Plank  Church 
was  evidently  the  most  popular.  It  was  the  banner 
church,  in  the  way  of  finance.  The  day  was  pleasant, 
heaven  smiled  upon  us,  the  ministers  were  all  in  the 
Spirit-.     How  truly  we  could  sing, 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  805 

Love  feast.  Missionary  collection. 

*'  See  where  the  servants  of  the  Lord, 
A  busy  multitude,  appear ; 
For  Jesus  day  and  night  employed, 
His  heritage  they  toil  to  clear." 

We  realized  all  we  asked  for.  But  could  it  have  been 
done  by  simply  confining  ourselves  to  the  lecture  room 
that  day  ?  I  answer  unhesitatingly,  it  could  not.  Is  it 
not  well  for  the  Church  to  be  ''  wise  as  serpents,  and 
harmless  as  doves  ?" 

On  Monday  night  following  the  dedication,  we  had 
a  love  feast  in  our  new  place  of  worship.  All  was  love 
and  harmony;  we  felt  it  was  God's  house.  The  meeting, 
from  the  experience  of  a  young  man,  whose  heart  glowed 
with  the  missionary  fire,  assumed  the  character  of  a 
"missionary  meeting."  We  felt  for  the  heathen,  and  in 
order  to  save  him  from  his  blindness,  we  raised  the  sum 
of  tioenty  dollars.  This  amount,  under  the  circwmtances, 
was  a  noble  ofiering ;  it  was  voluntarily  brought  forward 
to  the  stand,  while  we  were  heartily  singing  the  compo- 
sition of  Bishop  Heber : 

"  From  Greenland's  icy  mountains, 

From  India's  coral  strand. 

Where  Afric's  sunny  fountains 

Roll  down  their  golden  sand  ; 
From  many  an  ancient  river. 
From  many  a  palmy  plain, 
They  call  us  to  deliver 

Their  land  from  error's  chain." 
26* 


300  TniKTEEN   years'    EXPERIENCE 

James  Stewart. 

I  wish  to  notice  the  experience,  for  a  moment,  of  a 
faithful  brother  that  night.  He  was  one  of  our  trustees  ; 
he  had  done  much  in  accomplishing  this  important  work. 
He  was  a  noble-hearted  Scotchman ;  I  allude  to  James 
Stewart ;  he  arose,  and  said,  ''  I  feel  happy  somewhat, 
but  strange,  just  as  I  have  done  when  I  have  first 
put  on  a  new  coat.  They  do  not  generally  seem  to 
set  well.  I  always  feel  awkward."  And  while  he 
talked,  the  fire  began  to  burn  in  his  noble  soul.  He 
shouted  out,  ''  I  begin  to  feel  the  garment  just  fits 
me,  I  am  just  suited."  Early  in  the  year  1855,  he  left 
this  city,  to  reside  on  a  small  farm  he  owned  in  Luzerne 
county,  Pa.,  hoping  that  his  declining  health  might 
be  restored ;  but,  in  this  desire,  he  and  his  friends 
were  doomed  to  disappointment.  When,  however,  the 
final  struggle  came,  he  was  ready  for  his  change.  When 
asked  relative  to  his  prospects  for  the  future,  he  said, 
"  I  am  going  down  to  the  waters  !"  A  few  moments 
before  he  left  the  world,  he  said  to  his  companion,  "I 
am  crossing  over  Jordan."  And  when  he  could  no 
longer  speak,  one  saying  to  him,  "Is  all  well ? — if  so, 
give  me  a  sign  ;"  with  eyes  uplifted  towards  heaven,  he 
waved  his  hand  several  times,  in  token  of  victory  over 
the  last  enemy.  Soon  thereafter  he  fell  asleep,  beloved 
and  esteemed  by  all  who  knew  him.  His  funeral  ser- 
mon was  preached  where  he  died,  September  26,  1855, 


IN    THE   ITINERAj^CY.  307 

*'  Out  of  the  eater  came  forth  meat." 

to  a  large  audience,  thougli  he  was  comparatively  a 
stranger.  And,  through  respect  for  him,  in  the  Hedding 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  Philadelphia,  of  which  he 
was  a  faithful  member,  trustee,  leader,  and  steward,  a 
discourse  was  delivered  by  me  on  Sunday,  October  21, 
1855,  to  a  large  and  weeping  audience.  We  were  all 
ready  to  say,  "Let  me  die  the  death  of  the  righteous." 

I  went  to  the  Conference  in  the  city  of  Reading, 
Pennsylvania,  with  a  cheerful  heart.  I  was,  by  God's 
blessing,  able  to  report  a  larger  list  of  probationers  than 
I  ever  reported  before.  And  I  might  say,  "  Out  of  the 
eater  came  forth  meat,  and  out  of  the  strong  came  forth 
sweetness."  By  the  goodness  of  God,  it  often  happens, 
those  things  which  appear  unpleasant  or  injurious, 
become  real  blessings.  It  was  said  to  me,  when  I  was 
assigned  to  this  weak  appointment,  "  You  will  starve  !" 
I  remarked,  *'  I  will  throw  myself  upon  the  promise ; 
*  If  ye  be  willing  and  obedient,  ye  shall  eat  the  good  of 
the  land.' "  I  never  was  better  supported.  I  did 
obtain  honey  from  the  carcass  of  the  lion.  Our  support 
now,  brethren  in  the  ministry,  is  abundant,  compared 
with  what  our  fathers  received.  But  sometimes  we  are 
tempted  to  think  we  should  be  better  sustained  in  some 
other  Church.  When  we  come  to  this  conclusion,  we 
only  see  the  bright  side  of  the  picture.  As  a  general 
thing,  no  set  of  ministers  in  our  country  are  better  pro- 
vided for,  than  the  Itinerant  ministers  of  the  Methodist 


308  THIRTEEN  years'  experience 

Let  our  motto  be,  "  God  and  the  People." 

Episcopal  Church.  Our  people  love  ug.  A  holy, 
"working  ministry  among  us,  shall  "have  lack  of 
nothing."  The  people  see  their  ministers  are  con 
strained  by  the  love  of  Christ,  and  they  see  them 
"  Spending  their  sweat  and  blood,  and  pains,  to  cultivate 
Immanuel's  lands;"  and  they  delight  to  honour  them 
"with  many  honours,"  and  to  lade  them  "with  such 
things  as  are  necessary."  We  will  labour  on,  taking  "  No 
thought  for  our  life,  what  we  shall  eat,  or  what  we  shall 
di'ink ;  nor  yet  for  our  bodies,  what  we  shall  put  on." 
We  know  that  "  birds,  without  barn  or  storehouse,  are 
fed;"  and,  with  great  propriety,  the  minister  may  be 
asked,  "  Are  ye  not  much  better  than  they  ?"  Wherever, 
then,  the  powers  that  be  send  us,  we  will  go,  notwith- 
standing the  work  be  arduous,  and  the  prospect  for  sup- 
port meager;  and,  as  we  occupy  our  humble  station, 
or  go  round  the  Circuit,  we  will  sing, 

*'No  strength  of  our  own,  nor  goodness  we  claim, 
Our  trust  is  all  thrown  on  Jesus's  name  ; 
In  this  our  strong  tower  for  safety  we  hide ; 
The  Lord  is  our  power — the  Lord  will  provide." 

Brethren,  let  our  motto  be,  "  God  and  the  people." 
God  first  of  all,  then  the  people.  The  people  have  been, 
and  I  believe  ever  will  be,  true  to  us,  as  long  as  we  are 
true  to  God  and  ourselves.  ^Ye  have  our  difficulties, 
but  we  know  our  refuge  and  resource.  Our  high-toned 
enemies  have  cried,  "Who  are  these  ignorant,  incom- 


IN  THE   ITINERANCY.  g09 

Anecdote  of  Mr.  Wesley.  Methodism  in  Reading. 

petent,  unauthorized  teachers,  travelling  out  of  the 
regular  line  of  succession  T'  We  answer  in  a  voice  of 
thunder,  "Ask  the  people."  "VYe  wish  to  hold  no  con- 
troversy ;  we  merely  say.  Let  us  alone  :  and  if  perchance 
we  should  encounter,  in  our  itinerant  course,  one  of 
these  lofty  successors  of  the  apostles,  we  would  meekly 
act  toward  him  as  Mr.  Wesley  did  to  the  country 
magistrate.  It  is  related  of  Mr.  Wesley,  that,  riding 
one  day  to  preach,  he  met  a  pompons  country  magis- 
trate, mounted  on  his  stately  charger;  who,  looking 
with  ineffable  scorn  upon  the  little  apostle  of  Methodism, 
exclaimed  in  a  rough  tone  of  voice,  "  I  shall  not  give  the 
way  to  a  fool."  Wesley  very  cordially  reined  his  horse 
to  the  left,  and  quietly  replied  ^' But  1  ivilV 

The  session  of  our  Conference  in  the  city  of  Reading 
was  highly  beneficial  to  us  as  a  denomination.  Method- 
ism there  is  of  recent  origin,  and  there  has  been  much 
prejudice  against,  and  much  ignorance  of  us.  But  this 
tree  of  God's  planting  is  taking  deep  root  in  that  soil. 
There  are  two  excellent  churches  of  our  denomination. 
When  the  first  one  was  built,  the  society  being  weak, 
the  pastor.  Rev.  John  A.  Roche,  in  the  year  1839, 
volunteered  to  visit  many  of  the  churches  and  Circuits 
to  solicit  pecuniary  help.  He  came  into  my  native 
place ;  I  heard  him  preach  a  most  solemn  sermon,  and 
then  plead  in  eloquent  strains  for  his  infant  church.  I 
felt,  a  person  to  resist  such  an  appeal  as  that,  must 


310        THIRTEEN  YEARS'  EXPERIENCE 

First  donation  to  a  Church.  St.  Peter's  M.  E.  Church,  Reading. 

have  a  heart  of  adamant.  I  remember  that  day,  that,  to 
aid  his  cause,  /  emptied  my  scanty  pocket,  and  gave  him 
every  cent  I  had,  and  did  it  cheerfully.  That  was  the 
first  donation  I  ever  gave  to  a  church.  I  was  a  poor 
boy,  but  over  that  act  I  was  happy.  My  means  then 
and  since  have  always  been  humble ;  but,  as  it  was  said 
of  the  woman  in  the  gospel,  w^ho  had  an  alabaster-box 
of  ointment  of  spikenard,  "  she  hath  done  what  she 
could,"  I  think  I  can  say,  I  have  done  what  I  could ; 
and  my  experience  is  that  it  is  "  blessed  to  give."  The 
church,  where  the  Conference  was  held,  "  St.  Peter's," 
was  more  recently  built.  It  was  deemed  proper  to  rear 
a  more  modern,  and  larger  house.  It  was  well  to 
heed  the  direction  of  the  prophet :  "  Enlarge  the  place 
of  thy  tent,  and  let  them  stretch  forth  the  curtains  of 
thine  habitations :  spare  not,  lengthen  thy  cords,  and 
strengthen  thy  stakes."  But  in  this  ^' great  work" 
the  brethren  found  themselves  much  involved  in  pecu- 
niary embarrassment.  And  as  a  parent  will  protect  a 
child,  the  Conference  was  disposed  to  relieve,  in  every 
possible  way,  this  beautiful  temple  from  difficulty.  But 
it  cannot  be  denied,  that  that  church,  and  the  entire 
Conference,  owe  Rev.  Newton  Heston  a  debt  of  gratitude 
that  can  never,  in  this  world,  be  paid.  He  traversed 
through  the  length  and  breadth  of  our  territory,  feeble 
as  he  frequently  was,  leaving  sometimes  a  sicJc  family 
behind,  stemming  torrents  of  opposition,  through  wet 


IN  THE  ITINERANCY.  311 

Mistake  about  a  certificate. 

and  dry,  heat  and  cold,  labouring  in  the  pulpit  and  at 
the  altar.  Hjs  mission,  unwelcome  as  it  sometimes  was, 
had  to  be  made  known.  No  one,  who  has  not  had  the 
experience,  knows  the  difficulties  connected  with  such 
matters.  Yet  his  success,  by  God's  blessing,  was  com- 
plete. This  was  a  great  salvation;  but  what,  at  the 
Conference,  was  still  more  encouraging,  was,  we  found 
that  sinners,  by  scores,  were  being  emancipated  from 
the  thraldom  of  sin.  And  over  all  these  excellent 
things,  who  can  wonder  that  "there  was  great  joy  in 
that  city." 

In  connexion  with  "  St.  Peter's"  Church  in  the  city 
of  Reading,  I  will  mention  an  anecdote  in  which  I  was  a 
party.  There  was  a  certificate  presented  to  me  of  church 
membership  from  the  pastor  of  this  church.  My  location 
then  was  contiguous  to  a  Roman  Catholic  church  by  the 
name  of  "  St.  Peter  s."     I  began  to  read,  "  This  is  to 

certify  that is  an  acceptable  member  of  St,  Feter's." 

It  did  not  occur  to  me  at  the  time  that  we  had  a  church 
of  this  name  ;  and  I  was  so  close  to  the  one  bearing  the 
same  name,  and  not  a  few  of  that  church  having  attended 
our  meetings,  my  readers  will  not  be  surprised  when  I 
tell  them,  that  when  I  read  as  far  in  the  certificate  as 
"  St.  Peter's,"  I  suddenly  stopped,  and  wa^  getting 
ready  for  a  shout ;  for  I  was  sure,  this  is  a  conquest 
from  my  Roman  Catholic  neighbour ;  but,  just  as  I  was 
about  to  say  in  the  way  of  exultation,  "  we  come  not  to 


312  THIRTEEN  years'    EXPERIENCE 

Bishop  Ames. 

call  the  righteous,  but  sinners  to  repentance,"  I  saw  on 
the  paper  "  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,"  and  the  name 
of  mj  friend  and  fellow  laboui'er.  I  would  not  be 
understood  to  intimate,  that  I  object  to  the  name  being 
given  to  a  Methodist  Church.  We  claim  to  be  an  apos- 
tolic church,  and  we  revere  the  name  of  Peter,  and 
have  as  good  a  right  to  affix  his  name  to  our  churches  as 
they.  But  while  we  revere  the  name  of  Peter,  we  are 
more  absorbed  in  the  name  of  Jesus.  And  we  mean 
Christ  when  we  say,  "  Upon  this  rock  I  will  build 
my  church;  and  the  gates  of  hell  shall  not  prevail 
against  it." 

Bishop  Ames  presided  at  this  Conference  for  the  first 
time,  greatly  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  entire  body.  The 
General  Conference  did  well,  when  they  chose  him  to  fill 
that  responsible  office.  He  is  an  excellent  presiding  offi- 
cer, commanding  in  appearance,  and  "kindly  afiectioned" 
towards  the  brethren.  He  is  a  thorough  Methodist.  He 
said,  in  an  address  to  the  Conference,  ''I  have  frequently 
been  honoured  with  a  seat  in  the  General  Conference;  and 
such  has  been  my  esteem  for  the  Book  of  Discipline  that 
I  have  never  felt  free  to  propose  an  alteration."  Ex- 
horting the  brethren  to  go  to  their  work  in  the  right  spirit, 
and  assuring  them  that  all  would  be  well,  he  added ;  "  I 
have  been  coasting  round  these  capes  for  twenty-five  years, 
and  have  never  wanted  for  a  harbour."  How  well  it  is, 
for  our  superintendents  to  have  had  experience  in  the 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  313 


Close  of  Conference  at  Reading. 


hardships  as  well  as  the  pleasures  of  the  Itinerancj  ! 
then  they  may  duly  sympathize  with  us,  and  understand 
practically  the  "shades"  as  well  as  the  ^'lights"  of  a 
travelling  preacher.  We  all  felt  Bishop  Ames  is  one  of 
us,  and  this  feeling,  so  far  as  I  know,  is  general  towards 
our  superintendents.  When  we  heard  him  preach  during 
the  session  of  the  Conference,  we  could  say  the  gospel 
which  he  proclaimed  "  Came  not  unto  us  in  word  only, 
but  also  in  power  and  in  the  Holy  Ghost  and  in  much 
assurance."  All  felt  he  is  to  the  flock  of  Christ  a  shep- 
herd, not  a  wolf;  he  will  feed  them,  and  not  devour  them. 
He  will  heed  the  direction  in  the  ordination  service, 
"  Hold  up  the  weak,  heal  the  sick,  bind  up  the  broken, 
bring  again  the  outcast,  seek  the  lost."  The  Bishop 
closed  the  Conference  by  reading  our  appointments, 
and,  I  presume,  all  thought  they  never  were  more 
judiciously  made.  The  people  of  Beading,  who  had 
endeared  themselves  to  us  by  their  great  kindness  and 
hospitality,  crowded  St.  Peter's  to  hear  the  conclusion 
of  the  whole  matter.  It  Avas  good  to  be  there,  but  it 
was  requisite  that  we  should  sever.  Our  motto  is,  on 
such  occasions. 


•  0  let  us  still  proceed, 

In  Jesus'  work  below, 
And,  following  our  triumphant  head, 
To  further  conquj&sts  go." 


27 


314         THIRTEEN  YEARS*  EXPERIENCE 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

Revivals  increase  our  Congregations — Are  we  immortal  till  our  Work 
is  done  ? — Sometimes  we  go  a  Warfare  at  our  own  charges — The 
old  Rye-field — Reported  to  be  Dead  ! — Life  Insurance — Rev.  John 
Lednum — Recovery  of  Health — Camp  Meeting  Arrangements  in 
Philadelphia — Ministers  deceived — Rev.  A.  L.  P.  Green,  D.  D.,  of 
Tennessee — A  Methodist  Preacher  at  Home,  preaching  anywhere — 
Feast  of  Dedication — Special  Love  Feast — Farewell  or  Anniversary 
Meeting  in  Plank  Church — Driving  a  Stake,  and  shouting  "  Glory" 
— "Prepare  ye  the  Way." 

I  WAS  returned  to  Hedding  Churcli  in  the  spring  of 
1854.  The  Plank  Church  remained  until  the  follow- 
ing autumn,  when  the  upper  part  of  the  brick  church  was 
completed.  We  found  it  opportune  ;  for  the  congrega- 
tions were  frequently  so  large  that  we  had  it  as  well  as  the 
lecture  room  occupied,  and  two  distinct  meetings  in  pro- 
gress at  the  same  time,  notwithstanding  some  had  enter- 
tained fears,  and  loudly  expressed  them,  that  the  loca- 
tion was  not  a  suitable  one,  and  that  the  congregation 
would  be  small.  But  where  the  work  of  revival  pro- 
gresses, and  the  Church  is  in  earnest  for  the  salvation 
of  souls,  the  people  will  flock  together,  filled  with  won- 
der and  amazement ;  and  when  they  thus  come,  we  are 
to  be  successors  of  Peter,  and  proclaim,  "  Repent  ye, 
therefore,  and  be  converted."  People  generally  like  a 
ministry  in  earnest.  If  there  is  any  subject  about  which 
the  children  of  men  should  be  in  earnest,  it  is  the  salva 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  815 

The  best  way  to  revive  a  Church. 

tion  of  the  soul.  Our  founder,  Mr.  Wesley,  was  an 
earnest  minister ;  his  sons,  for  the  last  century,  have  in 
this  respect  followed  in  his  footsteps,  and  the  Methodist 
Church  is  a  revival  Church.  Those  who  preceded  us 
preached  good  doctrine,  and  it  may  be  said  of  Methodist 
preaching  and  religion  as  it  was  once  said  of  Mr.  White- 
field,  "  The  religion  which  he  teaches  is  but  the  old,  re- 
rived  with  energy,  and  heated  as  if  the  minister  really 
meant  what  he  said."  Wherever  the  Church  is  in  a  lan- 
guishing state,  congregations  small  and  feeble,  I  woula 
modestly  suggest  that  the  best  method  to  be  adopted  is 
for  the  ministry  to  ask — the  Church  heartily  uniting — 
and  persevere  in  asking  God,  ''  AYilt  thou  not  revive  us 
again,  that  thy  people  may  rejoice  in  thee  ?"  This  being 
the  case,  every  evil  is  corrected,  and  we  may  say,  "  The 
flowers  appear  on  the  earth,  the  time  of  the  singing  of 
birds  is  come,"  and  the  voice  of  the  turtle  is  heard  in  our 
land."  Our  fields  of  labour  blossom  as  the  rose.  How 
fragrant  is  the  odour  which  is  imparted  to  all  around  1 
We  are  compassed  about  with  a  great  cloud  of  witnesses, 
so  great,  indeed,  that  we  have  to  say,  in  regard  to  our 
places  of  worship,  *'  The  place  is  too  strait  for  me  ;  give 
place  to  me  that  I  may  dwell." 

My  readers  would  conclude  naturally  that  I  had 
work  enough  at  home  to  do,  but  I  did  about  this  time 
what  I  could  in  assisting  my  brethren  abroad  at  dedica- 
tions and  corner-stone  layings  of  new  churches.    I  think 


316        THIRTEEN  YEARS*  EXPERIENCE 

"  Immortal  till  our  work  is  done." 

we  should  "bear  one  another's  burdens;"  and  if  we 
would  have  friends  in  the  time  of  need,  we  must  show 
ourselves  friendly.  I  presume  we  are  "  immortal  till 
our  work  is  done."  I  have  gone,  however,  frequently, 
when  physically  I  did  not  feel  able,  to  assist  weak  points. 
About  this  time  I  dedicated  two  Methodist  Episcopal 
Churches  for  our  coloured  people.  One  in  St.  Michael's, 
Talbot  county,  Md.,  the  other  in  Dover,  Delaware. 
Por  the  first  enterprise,  much  credit  is  due  Rev.  John 
D.  Long,  supernumerary  in  the  Philadelphia  Conference, 
and  our  brethren  in  that  place.  I  preached  in  the  fore- 
noon to  the  white  people  only,  who  raised  a  respectable 
amount  to  aid  in  freeing  the  new  church  for  the  coloured 
people  from  debt.  In  the  afternoon  the  service  of  dedi- 
cation took  place.  The  new  house  was  not  large  enough, 
and  the  case  was  somewhat  relieved  by  pitching  a  large 
tent  in  front  of  the  church.  I  stood  in  the  front  door 
of  the  new  house,  and  preached  to  a  mixed  multitude ; 
for  very  many  of  the  white  people  cheered  the  sons  of 
Africa  with  their  presence,  and  aided  them  financially. 
I  looked  on  with  admiration,  and  thought  of  the  passage, 
"  He  that  hath  pity  upon  the  poor  lendeth  unto  the 
Lord,  and  that  which  he  hath  given  will  he  pay  him 
again." 

After  the  services  at  Dover  were  all  over,  and  the 
Church  was  dedicated  to  the  worship  of  Almighty  God, 


IN    THE   ITII>'ERANCY.  817 

The  Old  Rye  Field. 

under  great  obligations  to  you,  Mr.  MansWp,  for  your 
pains  in  coming  to  help  us  at  our  dedication ;  you  will 
never  be  forgotten  by  us ;  what  shall  we  give  you  ?  if 
you  say  twenty  dollars,  here  it  is."  It  was  not  in  my 
heart  to  take  it;  they  were  allowed  only  to  pay  the 
travelling  expenses.  But  they  acted  like  Christians, 
and  manifested  a  nobleness  of  soul  that  does  not  always 
characterize  such  occasions.  And  I  presume  I  am  not 
the  only  minister  who  has  been  sent  for  to  go  a  distance 
to  labour,  and  been  permitted  to  go  ''  a  warfare,  at  his 
own  charges." 

In  the  month  of  April  I  was  invited  to  visit  the 
neighbourhood  where  I  preached  the  second  sermon  I 
ever  preached  after  I  was  licensed.  The  Church  was 
a  temporary  affair  there,  of  the  tabernacle  character, 
situated  in  the  ^'  Old  Rye  Field,"  near  Bloomery  Mills, 
Caroline  county,  Maryland.  It  was  a  very  cold  day,  in 
the  month  of  January,  1842.  The  clap-boards  trembled, 
while  the  western  wind  roared,  and  through  the  crevices 
we  felt  its  chilling  blasts.  There  was  also  a  heavenly 
breeze ;  I  may  say,  ^'  there  came  a  sound  from  heaven 
as  the  rushing  of  a  mighty  wind."  The  few  (for  it  was 
a  little  flock)  that  loved  and  served  the  Lord,  could  say, 

"0,  joyful  sound  of  gospel  grace! 
Christ  shall  in  me  appear  ; 
I,  even  I  shall  see  his  face, 
I  shall  be  holy  here. 
27* 


318  THIRTEEN   years'    EXPERIENCE 

The  happy  change. 

"  The  promised  land  from  Pisgah's  top 
I  now  exult  to  see : 
My  hope  is  full — 0  glorious  hope 
Of  immortality." 

A  little  more  than  twelve  years  rolled  round,  ere  I 
again  preached  the  gospel  at  the  ''Old  Rye  Field." 
The  little  leaven  that  began  to  work  twelve  years  before, 
had,  in  a  great  degree,  leavened  the  whole  lump.  There 
was  not  a  more  wilderness  place  to  be  found  in  the 
county.  The  land  was  poor,  much  of  it  turned  out  as 
worthless;  the  people  many  of  them  made  and  drank 
brandy,  and  said,  ''  Let  us  eat  and  drink,  for  to-morrow 
we  shall  die."  When  Rev.  Joseph  Carlisewas  preacher 
in  charge,  he  did  much  for  this  neighbourhood,  and, 
being  aided  by  Samuel  G.  Smith,  who  was  almost 
entirely  alone,  a  house  was  built  to  take  the  place  of  the 
original  tent  in  the  Rye  Field,  in  which  I  preached  my 
second  sermon.  In  this  second  tabernacle,  which  was 
temporary  also,  many  were  converted.  This  answered 
very  well  for  several  years.  The  labourers  were  few, 
but  their  faith  was  strong,  and  they  could  sing  in  faith, 

"Rejoice,  rejoice,  the  promised  time  is  coming, 
Rejoice,  rejoice,  the  wilderness  shall  bloom." 

Near  the  same  spot  where  the  work  was  first  begun, 
it  was  my  privilege  to  dedicate  to  the  worship  of  Al- 
mighty God,  the  best  church  edifice  on  the  entire  Cir- 
cuit, on  the  9th  of  April,  1854.     The  congregation  was 


IX   THE    ITINERANCY.  S19 

Dedication  of  Bloomery  Cburcli. 

immense  for  a  country  place.  In  and  out  of  doors,  that 
bright  day,  there  were  about  a  thousand  people.  Rev. 
Lewis  C.  Petit  was  an  earnest  fellow-labourer  in  this 
important  work  with  Samuel  G.  Smith,  the  leader  of  the 
society  in  that  place  from  the  beginning.  Brother  S. 
wept,  prayed,  exhorted,  and  freely  gave  his  money,  to 
better  the  state  of  society.  I  thought  on  the  Sunday 
of  the  dedication,  when  I  saw  such  an  immense  number 
collected  together,  and  remembered  the  state  of  the 
church  twelve  years  before.  This  is  a  fulfilment  of  the 
Scripture,  "  One  thousand  shall  flee  at  the  rebuke  of 
one !"  Brother  Smith,  while  labouring  to  build  this 
house,  had  many  discouragements.  Some  said,  "The 
neighbourhood  does  not  require  such  a  church."  Some, 
"We  are  not  able  to  build;"  some,  "The  old  one  is 
good  enough;"  while  others  said,  "It  is  pride  that 
makes  people  desire  new  churches."  Is  it  not  the  love 
of  the  world,  too  great  a  fondness  for  filthy  lucre, 
that  leads  people  to  start  so  many  objections  to  new 
churches  ?  But,  nevertheless,  the  work  was  vigorously 
prosecuted  :  "  Let  us  not  be  weary  in  well-doing,  for  in 
due  season  we  shall  reap  if  we  faint  not." 

My  disposition  to  go  forward,  and  labour  more  than 
my  strength  would  sustain  me  in,  superinduced  an  attack 
of  indisposition  that  threatened  to  put  me  in  the  grave. 
In  the  month  of  June,  my  health  so  far  failed,  that  I 
was  not  able  to  preach  during  the  entire  summer.     A 


320  THIRTEEN    YEAKS'    EXPERIBNCB 

Author  reported  as  dead. 

report  was  put  in  circulation  that  I  was  dead ;  perhaps 
hundreds  read  it,  as  it  was  in  several  newspapers.  My 
situation  for  some  days  was,  by  medical  men,  considered 
critical.  I  did  not  know  but  that  my  work  was  done. 
I  thought  of  the  cold  grave.  Trusting  solely  upon  the 
Lamb  for  sinners  slain,  it  was  not  to  me  altogether 
gloomy.  I  felt  desirous  (if  it  was  God's  will)  to  live, 
that  I  might  labour  in  his  vineyard.  I  was  much  con- 
cerned also,  in  this  dark  hour,  for  my  wife  and  children. 
This  is  a  great  trial  to  a  man  on  the  verge  of  the  grave. 
I  had  seen  the  widow  and  orphan  children,  even  of  the 
faithful  minister  of  the  Gospel,  greatly  neglected.  I 
asked  myself  the  question.  Will  mine,  when  they  are 
throw^n  upon  the  cold  charities  of  an  unfeeling  world, 
fare  any  better  ?  "  There  dies  a  father ;  and  behold, 
the  widow  descends  from  the  sofa  of  ease  to  the  oar  of 
labour ;  and  the  children  lose  the  caresses  of  the  neigh- 
bourhood;  are  scattered,  oppressed,  injured."  For  few 
in  our  world  act  according  to  the  laws  of  genuine  friend- 
ship ;  or  inquire,  like  David,  "  Is  there  any  left  of  the 
house  of  Saul,  that  I  may  show  him  kindness  for  Jona- 
than's sake  ?" 

In  the  hour  of  affliction,  how  much  can  be  done  by 
sympathy!  " Weep  with  those  that  weep."  The  kind- 
ness of  my  brethi'en  and  friends  who  visited  and  prayed 
with  me,  made  a  deep  impression  upon  my  mind,  and  a 
letter  from  Bishop  Waugh   about  this  time  drew  from 


IN  THE   ITINERANCY.  321 

Encouraging  letter  from  Bishop  Waugh. 

my  eyes  tears  profusely.  I  introduce  it,  to  show  the 
kindness  of  liis  noble  heart  towards  an  humble  fellow- 
labourer  in  the  kingdom  and  patience  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ.  It  is  dated  Baltimore,  July  4,  1854 ;  and  is  as 
follows : — 

"  Dear  Brother, — I  learned,  on  my  way  home,  of 
your  severe  affliction.  It  afflicted  me.  I  was  afraid 
that  the  tendency  of  my  Brother  Manship  to  gigantic 
labours  had  carried  him  too  far  for  his  physical 
resources.  And  now,  just  at  this  point,  let  me  tell  you, 
with  the  concern  of  a  father,  that  I  am  fearful  that  the 
abundance  and  ceaselessness  of  your  labours  are  leading 
to  premature  death  or  superannuation.  My  motto,  in 
theory,  at  least,  is,  "It  is  better  to  ivear  out,  than  to 
rust  out."  I  would  not  that  you  should  be  less  zealously 
affected  in  the  great  work  of  the  Christian  ministry; 
but  I  would  have  you  remember  that  the  house  in  which 
the  immortal  spirit  lives  and  labours,  is  of  clay.  It 
cannot  with  impunity  bear  the  unremitted  toils  of  day 
and  night.  There  must  be  time  for  rest  and  repair,  else 
the  frail  habitation  will  tremble,  totter,  and  fall.  Can- 
not you  be  less  laborious  without  being  less  zealous  ?  I 
am  happy  to  learn  your  health  is  somewhat  recovering ; 
but  let  me  urge  you,  Brother  Manship,  not  to  recom- 
mence your  public  labours  too  soon ;  and  when  you  do 
begin  them,  do  not  forget  that  you  have  had  a  severe 
shock,  whatever  may  have  been  the  immediate  cause  of 


822  THIRTEEN    YKARS'    EXPERIENCE 

Life  insurance. 

it.     I  hope  you  -will  visit  Cape  Island  or  some  other 
sanative  place  again,  before  you  resume  your  work." 

In  my  critical  state,  in  view  of  my  domestic  affairs, 
next  to  the  grace  of  God  and  the  sympathy  of  my 
friends,  I  found  my  mind  relieved,  by  having,  when 
well,  taken  out  a  life  insurance  policy.  This  arrange- 
ment was  entered  into  with  a  well-regulated,  old,  and 
honourable  company,  in  Philadelphia.  From  the  stand- 
ing of  that  company,  I  have  not  the  shadow  of  a  doubt, 
in  case  I  had  died,  that  the  policy,  which  I  held,  would 
have  been  promptly  paid  to  those  dear  to  me.  I  desire 
to  call  the  attention,  particularly,  of  my  brethren  in  the 
ministry  to  this  subject.  It  is  a  rare  case  for  a  minister, 
from  the  salary  which  he  receives,  to  lay  up  anything, 
for  the  education  of  his  children,  and  support  of  his 
family,  that  he  is  quite  likely,  in  the  providence  of  God, 
to  leave  behind.  I  do  not  mean  to  assert  that  ministers 
are  not  supported.  There  are,  however,  so  many 
demands  made  upon  them,  and  they  are  so  generous  in 
contributing  to  every  good  cause,  that  they  are  able 
only,  generally,  to  meet  expenses.  What  provision,  then, 
can  they  make  for  those  whom  they  may  leave  behind  ? 
The  prospect  is  gloomy.  One  way,  however,  is  open  to 
them.  For  a  small  yearly  'payment^  for  a  life  insur- 
ance, they  can  insure  to  those  loved  ones  who  may 
survive  them,  a  respectable  sum,  which,  with  industry 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  323 

Objections  to  life  insurance  answered. 

and  economy,  will  place  them  in  circumstances  of  com- 
parative comfort. 

There  are,  however,  objections,  says  my  reader : — 

1.  The  idea  of  insuring  life  is  impossible.  I  do  not 
mean  to  intimate  that  it  is  to  add  to  life,  but  it  is  a  pru- 
dential regulation  in  case  of  death. 

2.  Some  may  say  it  implies  distrust  of  Providence. 
If  this  be  a  valid  objection,  it  will  apply  to  lightning 
rods,  insurance  in  general,  and  a  thousand  other  regula- 
tions, entered  into  heartily  by  the  best  of  men  in  the 
land. 

3.  Some  may  think  this  has  somewhat  the  aspect 
of  a  lottery,  or  gambling  affair.  If  it  had,  no  man 
would  be  more  denunciatory  than  myself.  This  class  of 
objectors  will  say,  "  Suppose  I  pay  one  year's  premium 
of  fifteen  or  twenty  dollars,  and  then  die ;  and  the  com- 
pany is  compelled  to  pay  to  my  estate  one  thousand 
dollars ;  is  this  not  sinful  and  unjust  ?"  I  answer,  not  at 
all.  The  company,  by  mathematical  calculation,  know 
the  general  average  of  human  life ;  and,  in  a  given 
number  of  years,  they  can  tell  how  many  of  those  insured 
will  die.  They  know  not  upon  whom  the  lot  will  fall ; 
but  they  do  know,  that  while  some  of  the  insured  may 
die  prematurely,  others  may  live  to  a  good  old  age. 
And  the  latter  are  better  off  than  the  former,  even 
though  they  should  pay  in  annual  instalments  more  than 
the  amount  of  their  policies.     "  For  all  that  a  man  hath 


324        THIRTEEN  YEARS'  EXPERIENCE 

Objections  to  life  insurance — continued. 

will  he  give  for  liis  life."  What  is  the  amount  of  our 
policy,  compared  with  sweet  life  ?  What,  therefore,  the 
company  may  lose  in  some  cases,  they  make  up  on 
others. 

4.  My  readers  may  say,  I  cannot  pay  the  yearly 
premiums.  The  amount  will  be  small ;  and,  for  the 
sake  of  our  little  ones,  let  us  practise  a  little  self-denial, 
and  be  economical. 

5.  One  will  say,  I  prefer  taking  the  little  I  can  save, 
and  investing  it  otherwise.  But  here  is  the  difficulty. 
It  is  perhaps  so  small,  you  will  think  it  is  useless  to 
undertake  to  invest  so  insignificant  an  amount.  Who 
knows  that  he  is  to  live  even  a  year  to  make  an  invest- 
ment ?  But  even  in  case  of  death,  if  that  small  amount 
had  been  invested  as  pointed  out,  the  widow  and  orphan 
children  might  have  had  a  respectable  sum. 

6.  Others  will  say,  "I  am  afraid  of  these  insurance 
companies ;  they  will  break,  and  all  will  be  lost."  Banks 
break,  stocks  which  we  may  deem  the  most  safe,  some- 
times become  worthless,  and  every  earthly  investment 
is  liable  to  fail  us.  Hence  we  should  not  fail  to  "  lay 
up  for  ourselves  treasures  in  heaven,  where  neither  moth 
nor  rust  doth  corrupt,  and  where  thieves  do  not  break 
through  nor  steal."  But  so  far  as  earth  is  concerned,  I 
know  nothing  so  well  suited  to  a  man  of  limited  means, 
who  has  a  desire  to  provide  for  his  household,  and  leave 
them  something  to  lean  upon  when  he  is  gone,  as  a 


m  THE   ITINERANCY.  325 

Rev.  John  Lednum. 

responsible,  well-regulated  life  insurance  company ;  in 
•which  lie  agrees  to  pay  an  annual  amount  within  his 
reach ;  the  company,  on  their  part,  agreeing  to  pay  to 
his  wife  and  children  a  certain  sum  when  he  can  no 
longer  go  in  and  out  before  them.  I  have  myself  seen 
the  widow  and  orphan  children  gladdened  in  the  hour 
of  adversity  by  this  means.  When  we  see  its  good 
effects,  who  will  gainsay  it  ? 

Reader,  if  we  pursue  this  course,  it  will,  I  think,  be 
loving  our  neighbour  as  ourself.  It  will  be  a  triumph 
over  selfishness.  When  we  insure  a  house,  a  leading 
idea  is,  if  it  is  burnt  down,  we  will  have  money  in  hand 
to  build  another ;  but  when  we  insure  our  life  we  are 
ourselves  not  to  be  benefited,  but  our  families,  when  we 
are  no  more.  In  everT/  respect,  let  me  say  to  my  reader, 
"  Set  thy  house  in  order,  for  thou  shalt  die  and  not 
live."  Be,  however,  careful  in  regard  to  the  character 
of  the  insurance  company/* 

Rev.  John  Lednum,  an  elderly  member  of  the  Phila- 
delphia Annual  Conference,  who  sustains  a  superan- 
nuated relation,  filled  my  appointments  during  the  sum- 
mer. He  filled  my  place  in  every  respect ;  and  he  could 
not  have  been  more  faithful  had  he  been  the  regular 
pastor.  He,  like  God's  ancient  prophet,  resolved  that 
he  would  receive  nothing  from  the  hands  of  the  breth- 
ren. There  is  much  originality  and  power  in  the 
preaching  of  Rev.  John  Lednum.  His  labours  were 
28 


326  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

Plank  Church  camp  meeting. 

owned  in  this  charge,  in  the  awakening  and  conversion 
of  many  souls.  From  this  minister,  all  through  my 
career  at  Hedding  Church,  I  realized  much  assistance. 
He  was  one  of  my  most  efficient  "helpers  in  Christ 
Jesus." 

In  the  month  of  September,  1854,  my  health  was 
so  far  recovered,  by  God's  blessing,  that  I  was  enabled 
to  resume  my  labours  in  the  Hedding  Church.  The 
dedication  of  the  new  edifice  was  approaching ;  we 
desired  to  have  another  extra  meeting  in  the  Plank 
Church  before  we  abandoned  it  to  occupy  the  permanent 
building.  Many  of  our  members  were  not,  for  various 
reasons,  able  to  go  to  the  great  Red  Lion  camp  meeting, 
which  they  most  earnestly  desired.  I  told  them  I  would 
arrange  for  them  to  have  a  camp  meeting  at  home.  This 
was  good  news  to  them.  At  first  we  held  what  we  called 
a  camp  meeting  prayer  meeting  in  the  Plank  Church,  on 
a  Sabbath  afternoon.  The  night  meetings  that  followed 
were  so  large,  that  we  resolved  to  make  more  room,  by 
taking  out  about  forty  feet  of  the  south  side  of  the 
church,  where  there  was  a  vacant  lot,  situated  imme- 
diately between  the  new  brick  and  the  plank  house, 
and  we  proceeded  to  rear  tents,  which  we  obtained  from 
our  sister  churches.  The  pulpit  in  the  plank  house 
was  removed  to  the  centre  of  the  building,  and  the 
several  tents  faced  the  same.  The  minister  had  the 
people  on  his  right  and  left;    one  of  the  large  tents 


IN    THE    ITINERANCY.  327 

Rev.  Br.  Early. 

immediately  faced  the  speaker,  another  was  in  a  south- 
western, and  the  third  in  a  south-eastern  position.  The 
minister,  by  this  arrangement,  could  see  the  audience 
readily,  and  every  person,  from  any  point,  had  a  full 
view  of  the  speaker.  We  often  had  every  place  filled 
to  its  very  utmost  capacity.  The  best  ministerial 
talent  in  our  church  was  called  into  requisition. 

While  I  had  the  co-operation  of  our  brethren  in  this 
city,  I  was  also  highly  favoured  with  the  labours  of  seve- 
ral prominent  ministers  from  the  South — Rev.  Dr.,  now 
Bishop  Early,  Rev.  Dr.  Summers,  and  Rev.  A.  L.  P. 
Green,  D.  D.  All  these  brethren  preached  for  us,  and 
seemed  to  be  very  happy  in  their  efi"orts.  Dr.  Early  said, 
"This  is  not  unlike  a  camp  meeting;  I  have  preached 
at  many  a  one,  where  the  audience  was  not  so  large,  or 
so  attentive."  I  admired  that  aged  minister's  course; 
he  concluded  his.  sermon,  and  then  went  through  the 
congregation,  urging  persons  to  seek  religion.  To  my 
knowledge,  he  was  the  means  of  one  soul's  professing  to 
obtain  the  pearl  of  great  price  the  night  he  preached  for 
us.  He  made  an  effort  to  get  a  man  forward  who  is  an 
adept  in  deceiving  ministers  and  others.  He  practised 
deception  on  me  once,  as  follows  :  In  Chestnut  Street, 
Philadelphia,  "Brother  Manship,"  said  he,  "allow  me 
to  introduce  you  to  Mr.  S.,  a  friend  of  mine ;  he  will, 
I  think,  give  you  a  donation  for  your  church."  I  said, 
We  have  no  claims  on  Mr.  S. ;  but,  if  he  chooses  to  do 


328  THIRTEEN   YEARS'   EXPERIENCE 

Kcv.  Dr.  Grceu. 

BO,  we  sliall  be  thankful.  Mr.  S.  took  my  book,  and  wrote 
his  name,  street,  and  number,  affixing  the  amount  of 
twenty  dollars  thereto,  and  directed  me  to  call  on  such  a 
day.  I  did  so,  but  he  was  not  to  be  found.  I  plainly 
saw  this  whole  matter  was  a  hoax.  When  I  saw  good 
Dr.  Early  urging  him  to  come  to  the  altar,  I  thought  of 
the  saying  of  the  old  coloured  man,  when  the  lightning 
struck  the  gum-tree :  "  You  have  got  your  match  dis 
time  !"  After  awhile  I  had  an  interview  with  Dr.  Early, 
and  found,  sure  enough,  he  was  deceived.  He  said  to 
me,  "  Brother  Man  ship, is  under  powerful  convic- 
tion ;  his  heart  is  very  soft ;  follow  him  up."  I  did  not 
tell  my  venerable  friend,  at  the  time,  this  man's  predispo- 
sition, but  I  knew  that  he,  as  well  as  myself,  had  been 
trifled  with.  How  wicked  is  such  a  course  !  The  wise 
man  says,  "As  a  madman  who  casteth  fire  brands, 
arrows,  and  death,  so  is  the  man  that  deceiveth  his  neigh- 
bour, and  saith,  Am  not  I  in  sport  ?" 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Green  took  great  delight  in  aiding 
us  at  this  point.  He  preached  several  times  in  our 
temporary  place  of  worship,  while  in  this  city  on  busi- 
ness relating  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  South. 
He  is  as  a  minister  a  great  favourite  in  this  city  in 
all  our  churches.  There  is  much  simplicity  in  his 
manner.  A  child  can  understand  him,  and  a  sage  may 
sit  at  his  feet  and  learn  of  him.  Eor  effect,  I  know 
none  to  surpass  him  in  my  range  of  acquaintance.    One 


IN   THE    ITINERANCY.  329 

Be  willing  to  preach  anywhere. 

shining  grace  in  this  distinguished  man  that  won  my 
heart's  affections,  was  humility.  I  was  in  his  company 
much.  I  saw  in  him  what  is  admirable  in  a  minister  of 
the  gospel,  viz.  a  great  love  for  the  children,  and  a  dis- 
position to  impart  instruction  to  the  juvenile  mind.  An- 
other mark  of  his  humility  that  struck  my  mind  forcibly 
was,  his  great  willingness  to  preach  in  our  Plank  Church. 
After  having  officiated  in  our  place  several  times,  being 
in  our  city  again,  I  was  emboldened  to  ask  him  to  give 
the  people  another  sermon.  Said  he,  promptly, "  Brother 
Manship,  I  am  glad  to  see  you.  I  was  afraid  I  should  not 
get  there  this  time ;  I  am  already  engaged  for  two  ser- 
mons for  to-morrow  (Sunday),  but  if  you  will  accept  me 
in  the  afternoon,  I  will  cheerfully  preach,  for,  to  tell  the 
honest  truth,  I  had  rather  preach  in  your  Plank  Church 
than  in  any  house  in  this  city." 

That  is  right ;  a  Methodist  preacher  should  feel  in- 
clined to  glory  in  preaching  the  cross  in  the  most  hum- 
ble place.  If  it  he  requisite^  stand  on  a  butcher's  block 
in  the  market,  or  a  stump  in  the  commons,  in  the  woods 
at  the  camp  meeting,  in  the  spacious  hall  or  theatre,  or, 
last  though  not  least,  in  the  estimation  of  some,  in  a 
populous  city  in  a  Plank  Church,  with  its  appendages, 
such  as  we  had  during  the  last  protracted  meeting  we 
held  in  it.  Such  places  answer  for  an  extemporaneous 
preacher  whose  heart  is  in  the  work ;  and  I  am  happy  to 
say  such  a  preacher  was  Rev.  Dr.  Green,  of  Tennessee. 

28* 


330  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

"  Christ  is  preached,  and  I  therein  do  rejoice." 

I  would  also  strenuously  maintain  that  our  doctrines 
are  so  excellent  that  they  should  be  proclaimed  every- 
where, and  our  ministry,  moved  by  the  Holy  Spirit  to 
the  work,  is  fully  competent  for  the  task.  It  is  true, 
"we  utterly  disclaim  all  pretensions  to  what  Papists 
and  High  Churchmen  call  the  divine  succession,  and 
with  it  we  disclaim  all  Popish  infallibility,  and  all  that 
high-toned  priestly  authority  which  lords  it  over  God's 
heritage,  or  interferes  with  the  rights  of  conscience ; 
but  we  do  humbly  claim  to  be  men  whom  God  has  called, 
commissioned,  and  sent  to  preach  the  everlasting  gos- 
pel ;  and  if  any  doubt  this,  we  refer  them  to  the  thou- 
sands of  sinners  who  have  been  reformed  and  saved 
through  our  instrumentality."  These  are  our  epistles 
of  commendation,  known  and  read  of  all  men.  Such  a 
ministry  is  good  enough  for  the  most  costly  edifice,  not 
passing  by  the  "Metropolitan  Church,"  now  being  built 
in  the  city  of  Washington.  Under  peculiar  circum- 
stances, it  may  be  necessary  for  us  as  a  people  to  have 
a  place  of  worship  bordering  on  the  magnificent;  and 
should  we  object,  if  immortal  souls  may  be  saved,  even 
if  there  should  be  a  spire  pointing  to  Heaven,  or  a  bell, 
reminding  the  people  that  the  hour  for  worship  had  ar- 
rived ;  or  a  deep-toned  organ,  skilfully  managed,  with 
a  thousand  hearts  and  voices  uniting  in  sacred  song, 
making  one  think  of  the  music  of  the  skies,  where, 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  331 

Let  the  pulpit  be  kept  pure. 

^^  with  our  harps  in  our  hands,  we'll  praise  him  ever- 
more." 

Perhaps  my  plain  reader  will  think,  if  this  should 
be  the  case  in  the  Methodist  Church,  "  Ichabod,  the 
glory  is  departed  from  Israel,"  might  be  written  upon 
our  walls.  No,  never !  While,  however,  in  some  re- 
marhahle  emergency,  I  would  advocate  such  an  arrange- 
ment as  a  prudential  regulation,  in  no  case  would  I 
admit  that  our  old-fashioned  preaching  of  Christ  and 
him  crucified,  "  in  demonstration  of  the  spirit,  and  of 
power,"  can  be  dispensed  with. 

Let  us,  indeed,  have  the  people,  by  some  means,  but 
when  we  get  them  assembled  together,  even  in  our  fine 
churches,  let  us  try  to  make  them  feel,  as  a  prominent 
gentleman  once  said,  he  liked  preachers  to  make  him 
feel; — "I  like,"  said  he,  "the  preacher  to  drive  me  up 
into  the  corner  of  my  pew,  and  make  me  feel  as  though 
the  devil  was  after  me  !"  If  the  pulpit  is  kept  pure,  and 
flames  with  the  glory  of  God,  and  our  ministry  walk  by 
the  same  rule,  and  mind  the  same  things  which  charac- 
terized our  fathers,  the  ship  built  at  the  Foundry,  city 
of  London,  under  the  direction  of  Messrs.  John  and 
Charles  Wesley,  will  be  ever  well  balanced,  in  sailing 
trim,  and  continue  to  move  forward  (though  winds  blow 
a  dreadful  hurricane,  and  the  waters  roll  mountains 
high) ;  she  will  float  her  triumphant  course  over  the  main, 


332  THIRTEEN  YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

Tie  Messrs.  Ginnodo.  Dedication  of  Hedding  Church. 

and  wave  her  joyous  banner  to  the  nations,  till  she  cir- 
cumnavigates the  world,  for  she  was  never  designed  for 
a  mere  coaster.  Mr.  Wesley  said,  "  The  world  is  my 
parish;"  so  must  his  sons  feel.  One  even  higher  than 
Wesley  says,  "  Go  ye  into  all  the  world,  and  preach  the 
gospel  to  every  creature." 

Our  builders,  the  Messrs.  Ginnodo  of  this  city,  gave 
us  to  understand  that,  on  the  15th  of  October,  1854,  the 
new  brick  Hedding  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  would 
be  ready  for  use,  and  that  we  might  make  our  arrange- 
ments accordingly.  We  are  much  indebted  to  this  firm, 
for  undertaking  to  build  for  us  when  they  plainly  saw 
our  weakness  in  funds ;  there  are  but  few  builders,  in  all 
probability,  that  would  have  done  it. 

The  venerable  Bishop  Waugh  again  came  to  our  help, 
and  preached  the  opening  sermon,  and  performed  the 
dedicatory  services,  in  the  presence  of  a  large  and 
delighted  audience.  Many  of  the  original  little  band 
had  feared  that  they  would  never  see  this  day :  they  had 
waited  so  long.  Some  months  before  the  dedication,  one 
of  them,  a  zealous  labourer  in  this  work,  was,  as  every 
one  thought,  near  the  close  of  life.  I  visited  him  often 
while  in  this  critical  state.  He  expressed  a  great  desire 
to  get  well ;  he  frequently  said,  "  I  would  like  to  live  to 
see  Hedding  Church  finished."  His  desire  was  gratified ; 
but,  shortly  after,  he  had  a  relapse,  and  died  on  the  9th 
of  November,  1854.     He  could  say,  "  Lord,  now  lettest 


IN  THE   ITINERANCY.  333 

Happy  death  of  George  M'Caulley.  Rer.  Prof.  Wentworth. 

thou  thy  servant  depart  in  peace :  for  mine  eyes  have 
seen  thy  salvation."  The  enemy  of  souls  followed  him 
almost  down  to  the  waters  of  Jordan.  He  died  on 
Wednesday.  The  Sunday  night  before  his  death,  he 
received  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper  about  mid- 
night ;  and  that  night  every  cloud  vanished.  There  never 
was  a  happier  man,  certainly,  than  George  M'Caulley 
on  his  death-bed.  He  said,  frequently,  ''  Glory  to  Jesus  ! 
Hallelujah  to  the  Lamb !"  A  little  while  before  the 
redeemed  spirit  left  the  clay  tenement,  he  was  in  a  trans- 
port of  ecstatic  joy,  and  so  extended  his  voice  that  all 
about  the  premises  heard,  him  triumphing  over  the  last 
enemy.  He  assisted  in  every  possible  way  in  building 
this  house  for  God ;  and  the  Lord  built  an  house  for  him, 
"eternal  in  the  Heavens."  His  funeral  sermon  was 
preached  in  the  new  church,  from  "  I  have  fought  a  good 
fight,  I  have  finished  my  course,  I  have  kept  the  faith." 
Rev.  John  Kennaday,  D.D.,  and  Rev.  Professor 
Wentworth,  were  associated  with  Bishop'  Waugh  in  the 
labours  of  the  dedication  occasion.  It  was  just  before 
Professor  Wentworth  sailed  as  missionary  to '  China. 
Before  he  commenced  preaching  at  night,  the  congrega- 
tion sung  the  hymn,  with  much  pathos,  beginning, 

"Away  from  his  home  and  the  friends  of  his  youth, 
He  hasted,  the  herald  of  mercy  and  truth, 
For  the  love  of  his  Lord,  and  to  seek  for  the  lost ; 
Soon,  alas!  was  his  fall,  but  he  died  at  his  posi  " 


334  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

Rev.  Dr.  Kennaday. 

We  felt  the  presence  of  that  God,  in  the  house  and  in 
our  hearts,  of  whom  it  was  said,  "  Behold,  the  heaven, 
and  heaven  of  heavens,  cannot  contain  thee !" 

Eev.  John  Kennaday  delivered,  in  the  afternoon,  a 
very  appropriate  discourse.  His  numerous  friends  in 
this  city  flocked  to  hear  him.  He  has  laboured  much 
within  the  bounds  of  the  Philadelphia  Conference,  and 
is  deservedly  a  popular  minister;  and  his  popularity 
among  us  has  never  waned.  Several  of  our  best  church 
edifices  have  been  reared  through  his  instrumentality. 
He  has  assisted  in  relieving  many  from  pecuniary 
embarrassment,  within  our  bounds.  It  may  be  truly 
said,  he  is  abundant  in  labour,  perfectly  at  home  in  the 
work  of  revival,  and  he  has,  a  thousand  times,  perhaps, 
led  on  the  armies  of  our  Israel.  Who  ever  witnessed 
his  management  of  a  protracted  or  camp  meeting,  and 
could  not  well  say  he  is  a  good  tactician  ?  He  has  the 
happy  art  to  interest  the  children.  The  morning  of 
our  dedication,  in  order  to  have  the  room  for  adults,  we 
held  a  meeting  expressly  for  the  children,  in  the 
lecture-room,  where  Bishop  Waugh  presided,  and  Dr. 
Kennaday  was  the  chief  speaker.  This  great  privilege 
reconciled  them  to  give  their  places,  that  morning,  to 
their  parents  entirely. 

In  the  afternoon  the  congregation  was  too  great  for. 
all  to  hear,  and  hence.  Rev.  Irvin  Torrence,  of  the  Bal- 
timore Conference,  kindly  consented  to  officiate,  though 


IN  THE  ITINERANCY.  335 

Love  feast  on  a  peculiar  plan. 

he  had  not  previously  been  called  upon.  I  presume  he 
believes  that  "  a  Methodist  preacher  should  always  be 
ready  for  two  things :  First,  always  ready  to  preach ; 
Secondly,  always  ready  to  die."  He  was  in  the  spirit 
of  the  glorious  work.  This  worthy  brother  had  fre- 
quently laboured  for  us  in  the  Plank  Church,  acceptably 
to  all ;  as  he  did  on  this  day  of  the  feast  of  dedication. 
We  may  truly  say,  we  "  kept  the  dedication  of  this 
house  of  God  with  joy." 

On  Monday  night  following  the  day  of  dedication, 
we  had  arranged  to  have  a  love  feast  in  connexion  with 
our  dedication,  on  a  somewhat  peculiar  plan.  The 
tickets  were  printed  on  various  colours  of  card  paper, 
worded,  "  Special  Love  Feast  Ticket,  Hedding  Me- 
thodist Episcopal  Church,  Philadelphia."  Bishop 
Waugh,  in  order  to  have  an  interview  with  many  minis- 
terial brethren,  and  many  of  the  member^  of  the  other 
Methodist  Churches,  and  to  aid  us  all  he  could  in  our 
efforts  to  pay  for  our  church,  consented  to  remain  and 
preside  over  the  Love  Feast.  At  my  request  the  good 
bishop  endorsed  all  the  tickets.  He  wrote  his  name  a 
thousand  times  !  That  name  is  embalmed  in  many  a  heart 
in  our  wide-spread  connexion,  and  those  tickets  he  had 
the  kindness  to  endorse,  are  sacredly  kept  through 
respect  for  the  senior  Bishop  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  who  is  now  feeble,  and  soon  expects  to  lay  his 
armoui*  by,  and  be  with  Christ  at  home.     When  he  is 


836        THIRTEEN  YEARS'  EXPERIENCE' 

The  anniversary  of  the  temporary  Iledding  Church. 

gone,  great  pleasure  will  be  realized  by  my  brethren 
and  sisters  here,  who  were  fortunate  enough  to  get  his 
autograph  in  this  way. 

Another  feature  of  this  love  feast  that  startled 
some  of  the  Methodists,  was,  the  tickets  were  sold,  to 
aid  in  liquidating  the  debt.  They  were  bought  cheer- 
fully. To  those  who  desired  to  make  a  mountain  of  this 
molehill,  and  "strain  at  a  gnat  and  swallow  a  camel,'* 
and  who  said,  "Who  ever  heard  the  like  before — 
selling  love  feast  tickets  P" — we  replied  that  we  were 
old-fashioned  Methodists,  and  in  this  respect  we  copied 
after  our  Wesleyan  brethren.  The  members  of  that 
body,  universally,  so  far  as  I  know,  buy  their  love  feast 
tickets.  The  love  feast  was  blessed  of  God,  and  it 
was  a  memorable  season.  It  was  a  feast  "  of  fat 
things  full  of  marrow."  It  was  also  a  source  of  pecu- 
niary advantage  to  our  church,  and  we  thought  the  end 
justified  the  means. 

On  the  next  night,  we  held  a  farewell  meeting  in  the 
Plank  Church.  This  temporary  structure  stood  precisely 
one  year,  and  hence  we  called  the  meeting  the  anniver- 
sary of  the  temporary  Iledding  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  Accordingly,  at  an  early  hour  on  Tuesday  even- 
ing, October  7th,  1854,  a  vast  crowd  assembled,  anxious 
once  more,  before  this  tabernacle  was  taken  down,  to 
have  the  privilege  of  worshipping  in  the  place  dear  to 
many  of  them,  made  so  by  the  fact  that  it  was  the 


IN  THE  ITINERANCY.  S87 

The  singing  in  the  Plank  Church.  An  incident. 

place  where  they  experienced  that  change  of  heart  with- 
out which  we  cannot  enter  the  kingdom  of  God.  The 
meeting  was  organized  by  calling  Rev.  Joseph  Castle, 
Presiding  Elder  of  North  Philadelphia  District,  to  the 
chair.  He  offered  a  fervent  prayer,  after  tlie  ivliole  con- 
gregation had  sung  the  hymn,  beginning, 

**  Jerusalem  !  my  happy  home ! 
Name  ever  dear  to  me  ! 
When  shall  my  labours  have  an  end, 
In  joy,  and  peace  in  thee?" 

I  have  heard,  occasionally,  the  best  choirs  in  different 
churches;  but  the  singing  that  night  in  our  Plank 
Church  was  not  a  whit  behind  any  I  ever  heard.  "  Not 
one  in  ten  only"  was  engaged  in  this  delightful  work, 
but  all  sung  with  a  spirit,  I  think,  worthy  of  imitation. 
Some  will  say  that  such  singing  answered  at  an  earlier 
day,  but  it  will  not  do  now.  Would  that  our  singing 
now  was  more  generally  congregational  and  spiritual ! 
It  does  not  appear  to  me  to  be  Heaven-like,  for  a  very 
small  number  to  do  the  singing  for  a  vast  assemblage  in 
a  formal  manner.  On  this  subject,  I  will  introduce  an 
incident.  Rev.  A.  A.  Willets  informed  me,  that  a  highly 
intelligent  and  devoted  lady,  the  wife  of  a  Congrega- 
tional minister  of  New  England  (who  was  present  with 
her  husband  the  Sabbath  afternoon  that  he,  Mr.  Willets, 
preached  in  the  Plank  Church  for  us),  came  up  to  him 
at  the  close  of  the  service,  and,  while  the  tears  streamed 

29 


338  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

An  incident  in  the  author's  own  experience. 

down  her  beaming  countenance,  said,  "  0  how  thankful 
I  am  I  came  here  this  afternoon  !  I  never  before  have 
been  so  near  Heaven,  as  I  have  been  this  hour  under 
this  humble  roof.  0  that  singing  !  that  singing  1  how 
it  lifted  up  mj  soul !  I  shall  never  forget  this  hour ;" 
her  emotion  fairly  choking  her  utterance  as  she  turned 


It  is  not  my  purpose  to  oppose  the  study  of  music ; 
for  "  that  which  is  worth  doing  at  all,  is  worth  doing 
well."  We  cannot  sing  correctly  without  a  knowledge 
of  the  notes  of  music,  any  more  than  we  can  speak 
correctly  without  a  knowledge  of  the  rules  of  grammar ; 
yet  I  have  sometimes  feared  that  our  scientific  singers, 
and  those  who  are  well  skilled  in  music,  lack,  in  many 
instances,  a  devotional  spirit,  and  "are  proud,  self- 
willed,  contentious,  and  arrogant."  I  am  tempted,  in 
this  connexion,  to  give  an  incident  in  my  own  experience. 
When  a  youth,  I  visited  a  large  city  for  the  first  time  in 
my  life.  The  vessel,  on  which  I  was  a  passenger, 
arrived  on  a  Sabbath  morning,  in  the  month  of  May. 
I  no  sooner  landed  than  I  started  in  search  of  a  meeting. 
In  the  part  of  the  country  where  I  lived,  the  Methodists 
were  the  principal  religious  sect.  A  few  Quaker 
meeting-houses,  and,  now  and  then,  a  dilapidated  old 
Episcopal  Church,  could  be  seen  in  my  county.  The 
first  church  I  came  to  I  entered,  asking  no  questions. 
Everything  inside  was  truly  magnificent ;  and,  of  course, 


IN   THE  ITINERANCY.  389 

Found  a  more  congenial  spirit  among  converted  sailors. 

the  singing  was  of  a  liigli  order.  I  seated  myself, 
after  kneeling  down  and  praying,  in  a  pew  that  was 
finely  cushioned.  I  saw  a  hymn  book  not  in  use.  I 
felt  desirous  to  participate  in  the  devotions  ;  and 
although  things  were  on  a  much  grander  scale  than  I 
had  been  used  to,  still  I  did  not  realize  but  that  I  was 
in  a  Methodist  Church,  until  I  saw  the  minister  clad  in 
vestments  of  various  colours,  and  heard  the  deep-toned 
organ.  I  suddenly  asked  myself  the  question,  "Where 
am  I  ?"  Still  I  did  the  best  I  could  in  singing.  And  I 
do  not  believe  that  there  was  a  more  sincere  worshipper 
there  that  day  than  I  was.  I  was  in  a  happy  mood,  and 
sung,  I  think,  with  the  spirit  and  with  the  understanding. 
But,  alas !  I  could  not  stay  to  see  the  conclusion  of  the 
whole  matter.  A  tall  man  looked  steadily  on  me,  and  said, 
"Your  singing  makes  discord."  I  replied  to  him,  "I 
am  in  the  habit  of  singing  at  home,  and  the  spirit  moves 
me  to  sing  here."  I  suppose  he  thought  I  would  con- 
tinue to  sing  if  I  remained ;  therefore  he  said,  "  Your 
absence  will  be  good  company ;  you  are  in  another  man's 
pew  anyhow,  and  the  sooner  you  go,  the  better!" 
That  was  too  plain  to  be  misunderstood ;  so  I  quietly 
retired.  I  obtained  afterwards  some  direction  from  a 
captain  that  enjoyed  religion ;  and  before  that  day 
passed,  I  was  permitted  to  join  a  pilgrim  band,  com- 
posed, in  part,  of  converted  sailors  and  their  families, 
in    an   humble   room ;    and,   like    the   Congregational 


840  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

Rev.  John  P.  Durbin,  D.  D. 

minister's  ^vifc  just  referred  to  in  the  Plank  Cliurcli,  I 
was  ready  to  say,  "  0  that  singing  !  that  singing  !  how 
it  lifted  up  my  soul !"  This  company  of  humble 
worshippers  were  singing, 

"The  oldsliip  of  Zion." 

In  my  Itinerant  life,  I  have  been  pastor  where  the 
choirs  have  been  a  great  blessing;  and,  'properly 
managed,  will  generally  be.  On  this  subject,  finally, 
however,  let  me  say  to  choirs  and  congregations,  so  con- 
duct this  most  interesting  part  of  Divine  worship,  as  to 
compel  all  to  say  who  hear  us,  "  0  !  that  singing  !  that 
singing !  how  it"  lifts  "  up  my  soul !" 

In  our  anniversary  or  farewell  meeting,  after  prayer, 
a  report  of  the  year  was  read,  which  proved,  apparently, 
deeply  interesting  to  all.  How  could  it  be  otherwise 
than  interesting,  when  it  was  stated  in  the  report,  that, 
in  that  humble  house  of  prayer,  there  had  been  won  to 
the  Saviour  about  five  hundred  persons  of  difierent  ages 
during  the  year ! 

Rev.  John  P.  Durbin  was  the  first  speaker  introduced 
to  the  meeting.  He  is  more  particularly  absorbed  in 
the  foreign  missionary  work,  being  the  secretary  of  the 
Missionary  Society  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church ; 
but  his  noble  soul,  that  night,  was  deeply  in  this  home 
enterprise.  He  has  preached  before  the  Congress  of  the 
United  States,  and  in  various  parts  of  the  world,  to  the 


IN   THE    ITINERANCY.  341 

Samuel  H.  Aldridge,  Esq.  "Let  the  highest  bidder  have  it." 

most  intelligent  assemblies  of  our  own,  and  other 
denominations  ;  but  never,  perliaps,  was  he  more  inspired 
than  on  this  occasion.  Among  other  things,  he  urged 
the  employment  of  temporary  arrangements  like  this, 
for  purposes  of  church  extension,  and  as  preparatory  to 
permanent  church  edifices  and  congregations.  No 
sooner  was  the  Doctor  through  with  his  stirring  address, 
than  Samuel  H.  Aldridge,  Esq.,  a  prominent  member 
of  the  church  in  this  city,  arose  and  asked,  "Is  this 
church  for  sale?"  Previous  to  that  meeting,  an  enter- 
prising Baptist  brother,  John  N.  Henderson,  Esq.,  had 
privately  made  us  an  offer  for  our  Plank  Church,  and 
until  we  had  an  interview  with  Mr.  H.,  who  was 
present  on  the  night  of  the  anniversary,  we  were  unable 
to  give  an  answer  to  the  question.  This  honourable 
fellow-citizen,  seeing  a  zeal  manifested  on  the  part  of  the 
Methodist  brethren  to  purchase  the  house,  said  to  me, 
"  Let  it  be  ofi"ered  for  sale,  and  let  the  highest  bidder 
have  it."  This  was  done,  and  Rev.  John  Kennaday 
managed  this  business  with  much  ingenuity,  and  it  was 
soon  declared  by  him,  "  That  Mr.  Aldridge  and  other 
Methodist  brethren  were  the  purchasers."  The  arrange- 
ment was  for  the  church,  according  to  Dr.  Durbin's 
suggestion,  still  to  be  a  pioneer  Methodist  Church. 
This  business  being  adjusted,  the  Rev.  John  Kennaday 
and  Rev.  A.  A.  Willetts  delivered  appropriate  addresses. 
The  last-named  minister  is  connected  with  the  Dutch 

29* 


342  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

Rov.  A.  A.  Willctts. 

Keformcd  Church.  He  was  formerly  an  Itinerant  in  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  In  the  labours  of  the 
Itinerancy,  his  physical  strength  gave  way.  So  much 
was  he  broken  down,  that  he  was  compelled  to  abandon 
the  idea  of  ever  being  able  to  do  the  work  of  a  Methodist 
preacher.  While  taking  steps  to  go  into  a  lucrative 
business,  he  was  urged  to  take  charge  of  the  church  of 
the  denomination  above  named,  in  Crown  Street,  Phila- 
delphia. But  Mr.  W.  said  to  the  gentlemen,  "I  am 
a  broken-down  man ;  I  cannot  do  the  labour  of  a  charge." 
They  replied,  ''Preach  as  you  are  able,  and  we  will 
supply  your  lack."  But  Mr.  W.  said  to  them,  "I 
am  a  Methodist  preacher ;  the  doctrines  of  that  Church. 
I  firmly  believe."  The  gentlemen  said,  "We  have 
heard  you  preach ;  we  want  no  better  doctrine,  and  we 
want  you  to  preach  as  formerly."  Mr.  W.  consulted 
with  judicious  friends,  prayed  over  this  important 
matter,  and,  in  the  fear  of  God,  resolved  that  he  would 
try.  God  has  smiled  upon  the  course;  the  happiest 
results  have  followed.  His  health  has  very  greatly 
improved.  The  church,  over  which  he  was  placed  as 
pastor,  has  prospered.  It  was  then  small  and  in  a  weak 
state  in  every  respect,  but  it  has  greatly  enlarged  its 
borders.  His  prayer  no  doubt  was,  "  Oh  that  thou 
wouldst  bless  me  indeed,  and  enlarge  my  coast,  and 
that  thine  hand  might  be  with  me."  "  And  God  granted 
him  that  which  he  requested."     The   new  church,  in 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY,  343 

Plank  Church  left  with  reluctance.  Lithograph. 

Spring  Garden  Street,  whicli  his  flock  have  been  enabled 
to  erect,  at  a  cost  of  about  one  hundred  thousand 
dollars,  and  which  will  accommodate  fifteen  hundred 
persons,  is  filled  with  attentive  hearers,  to  whom  he 
preaches  faithfully  the  "unsearchable  riches  of  Christ." 

He  is  deservedly  popular  among  all  classes,  as  an 
orator  and  preacher ;  but  he  is  ever  ready  to  say  of  Me- 
thodism, It  shall  not  be  forgotten  by  me.  He  does  not 
imitate  the  example  of  the  chief  butler  towards  Joseph : 
"Yet  did  not  the  chief  butler  remember  Joseph,  but 
forgat  him."  The  address  he  delivered  in  our  Plank 
Church,  at  our  anniversary,  led  me  to  say,  "  His  tongue 
is  the  pen  of  a  ready  writer."  His  address  told  favour- 
ably on  the  collection,  which  was  taken  for  the  purpose 
of  assisting  in  paying  off  the  debt  of  the  newly  conse- 
crated church. 

The  doxology  was  sung,  and  the  large  audience  was 
dismissed.  How  reluctantly  did  we  tear  ourselves  away 
from  this  place,  where  for  one  year  we  had  witnessed 
the  conversion  of  souls,  the  sanctification  of  believers, 
and  had  realized  the  Lord  to  be  "  unto  us  a  place  of 
broad  rivers  and  streams  !"  This  house  was  not  only 
engraved  upon  many  hearts,  but  our  attachment  to  it 
was  so  great  that  in  coming  years  we  wanted  to  gaze 
upon  it,  and  tell  to  our  children  the  fame  of  its  won- 
ders ;  hence  we  had  it  engraved  by  an  artist  on  a  large 
scale,  presenting  both  an  exterior  and  interior  view. 


844  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

Attachment  to  places  defended.  A  thrilling  incident. 

This  picture  is  now  suspended  in  many  parlours,  and 
those  persons  especially  who  were  converted  in  the  Plank 
Church,  place  a  high  estimate  upon  it.  Can  we  blame 
them  ?  After  the  Syrian  general  was  cured  of  the  lep- 
rosy, he  loved  not  only  the  prophet  and  the  water  of 
Israel,  but  also  the  earth ;  and  expressed  a  desire  to 
carry  some  of  it  home  with  him.  "  And  Naaman  said, 
Shall  there  not  then,  I  pray  thee,  be  given  to  thy  ser- 
vant two  mules'  burden  of  earth?"  Many  a  pious  soul 
desired  and  obtained  small  portions  of  the  very  humble 
altar  of  the  Plank  Church,  at  which  they  had  been  con- 
verted, and  which  was  now  about  being  removed,  saying 
in  their  hearts,  ''  If  I  forget  thee,  0  Jerusalem,  let  my 
right  hand  forget  her  cunning.  If  I  do  not  remember 
thee,  let  my  tongue  cleave  to  the  roof  of  my  mouth ;  if 
I  prefer  not  Jerusalem  above  my  chief  joy." 

The  spot  where  from  above  ^'  I  first  received  the 
pledge  of  love,"  I  shall  ever  revere.  I  have  often  visited 
it  since  with  emotion,  and  as  I  have  passed  the  place,  it 
being  near  the  county  road,  I  have  always,  in  my 
thoughts,  recurred  with  hallowed  feelings  to  the  memo- 
rable camp  meeting  held  there  in  the  summer  of  1835, 
and  I  have  a  veneration  for  the  place  somewhat  similar 
to  that  of  a  person  in  Virginia,  many  years  ago,  who 
was  brought  to  God  through  camp  meeting  influences. 
The  incident  is  as  follows  : — 

"  A  gentleman  visited  a  place  where  preparations 


5? 


LUj 


1=^ 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  345 

'MVith  every  stroke  of  bis  axe,  shouting  glory." 

were  in  progress  for  a  camp  meeting.  As  lie  walked 
around  the  ground,  viewing  tlie  laborious  operations 
which,  all  who  are  acquainted  with  such  meetings  know 
are  necessary  in  preparing  the  ground  and  erecting 
tents,  and  occasionally  pausing  to  chat  with  a  friend,  his 
attention  was  especially  arrested  by  the  energy  with 
which  one  man  drove  a  stake  into  the  ground.  Each 
stroke  was  accompanied  by  some  exclamation.  Getting 
near  enough  to  understand  what  was  said,  he  found  the 
man  shedding  tears  profusely,  and  with  every  stroke  of 
his  axe,  shouting  '  Glory !'  ^You  seem  to  be  excited, 
and  happy,'  said  the  gentleman.'  'Happy  !'  replied  the 
man,  '  I  have  enough  to  make  me  happy ;'  and  down 
came  his  axe  on  the  stake  with  increased  energy,  and  up 
went  the  shout — '  Glory  !'  He  proceeded  to  explain  : 
'  Twelve  months  ago,  at  a  camp  meeting  held  on  this 
ground,  and  just  here,  God  converted  my  soul !'  The 
tears  rolled  down  his  brawny  cheeks,  his  lips  trembled, 
and  with  more  than  previous  force  down  again  came  the 
ponderous  axe,  and,  in  harmony  with  the  echo,  up  went 
the  shout—'  Glory  !  Glory  ! !'" 

My  readers  will  conclude  I  have  participated  with 
my  friends  in  the  feeling  of  attachment  for  the  Plank 
Church,  when  they  see  in  this  work  the  engraving  refer- 
red to,  so  far  as  the  exterior  is  concerned,  reduced,  and 
given  to  them  from  a  steel  plate.  I  hope  I  shall  not,  in 
this  respect,  be  charged  with  superstition ;  my  motive  is 


346  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

Temporary  arrangement  recommended. 

to  do  good,  and  only  good,  and  that  continually.  Seve- 
ral similar  structures  in  this  city  have  sprung  up,  and 
the  results  have  been  felicitous.  To  the  friends  of  church 
extension  "all  over  these  lands,"  let  an  humble  fellow- 
labourer  in  the  "  vineyard  of  the  Lord,"  commend  this 
temporary  arrangement  plan  to  their  consideration.  Is 
it  not  better,  for  awhile,  to  worship  God  in  an  humble 
place,  free  from  debt,  than  to  have  a  more  magnificent 
church  edifice,  heavily  encumbered  ?  Such  an  arrange- 
ment, properly  entered  into,  and  carried  forward  with 
due  energy,  will  be  like  "  The  voice  of  him  that  crieth 
in  the  wilderness.  Prepare  ye  the  way  of  the  Lord,  makd 
straight  in  the  desert  a  highway  for  our  God." 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  347 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

A  Family  in  Distress — Deatli  of  the  Mother  and  the  Son — Mrs.  Ann 
B.  Castle — Her  Death — A  Course  of  Lectures — Compass  the  Church 
seven  times — Some  offer  objections  to  Revivals — "  A  more  excel- 
lent Way" — Supernumerary  Relation — Sent  back  to  Hedding 
Church  in  charge — Encourage  worthy  Men  to  enter  the  Ministry — 
Insure  a  Horse's  Life— His  name  is  "  Itinerant" — Friendship — 
Start, to  Europe — Kindness  of  Friends — Greatly  disappointed — AH 
for  the  best — A  Storm — Ship  still  sails — Day  for  Camp  Meetings  not 
over — Ex-Governor  Hazzard — Eastern  Shore  of  Virginia — "  Fall  a- 
trying" — Interesting  Anniversary — Concert  Hall — Home  and  Fo- 
reign Missions — The  Itinerancy  divinely  instituted — Anecdote  of 
Mr.  Wesley — His  happy  Death — Methodists  die  well — Powerful 
Argument — Let  these  Men  alone. 

THE  remarkable  meetings,  an  account  of  wHcli  Las 
been  given  in  the  preceding  chapters,  drew  persons 
from  all  parts  of  Philadelphia ;  this  extended  my  range 
of  acquaintance  very  greatly.  I  sometimes  was  called 
upon  to  visit  the  sick  and  bury  the  dead  at  remote  points. 
It  may  not  be  unprofitable  for  me  to  describe  a  case. 
I  entered  the  little  court,  and,  after  inquiring  at  several 
places,  I  was  directed  to  the  house,  where  I  found  a 
female  dying.  There  were  several  children ;  the  husband 
and  father  was  far  away  in  the  South,  endeavouring  to 
do  something  for  his  family,  as  he  had  been  thrown  out 
of  employment  at  home.  I  feared,  however,  from  all  I 
could  hear,  that  he  was  a  poor  provider,  and  that  the 
main  part  of  what  he  did  make  was  worse  than  thrown 
away ;  for  he  looked  upon  "  wine  when  it  is  red."  How 
many  innocent  children  have  to  say  (0,  how  pathetic !), 


348  THIRTEEN   years'    EXPERIENCE 

"Will  there  be  room  enough  for  me,  too?" 

"  My  father  is  a  drunkard,  but  I  am  not  to  blame  !"  I 
found  the  son,  who  was  about  twenty-one  years  of  age, 
to  be  a  consumptive.  He  had  been,  as  I  was  informed, 
the  main  support  of  the  family.  I  found  him,  weak  as 
a  ^'•'bruised  reed,"  sitting  at  a  table,  trying  to  write  to 
his  father.  He  was  not  able  to  do  it,  but  it  was  the  best 
he  could  do,  for  there  appeared  to  be  none  to  do  for  him  ! 
It  was  cold ;  there  was  scarcely  any  fire  in  the  house,  and 
but  little  to  subsist  upon.  Everything  looked  cheerless. 
The  young  man,  addressing  me  with  a  tremulous  voice, 
said,  "  Sir,  I  knew  you  in  Wilmington,  Delaware.  I 
have  sent  for  you ;  I  knew  of  no  other  person  to  send 
for ;  my  poor  mother  is  about  to  die,  and  father  is  away 
from  home.  I  have  done  all  I  can.  I,  too,  must  die ; 
I  am  growing  weaker  every  day.  Can  you  do  anything 
by  which  I  could  have  my  poor  dear  mother  buried  in 
Wilmington?"  The  circumstances  of  that  suffering 
family  were  made  known,  and  their  wants,  to  some 
extent,  relieved.  I  returned  the  next  day,  and  said  to 
the  young  man,  "It  is  not  in  my  power  to  do  anything 
now  beyond  this  city — I  am  too  much  engaged ;  but,  if 
you  are  willing  for  your  mother  to  be  buried  in  a 
Methodist  burying-ground,  I  will  see  that  a  lot  be  pro- 
cured, and  she  put  away  decently."  With  cheeks  bathed 
with  tears,  he  said,  "  God  bless  you !  that  will  do." 
How  I  was  affected,  when  he  asked,  as  I  was  passing 
away,  "  Will  there  he  room  enough  there  for  me,  too  V 


^IN  THE  ITINERANCY.  349 

"We  should  feel  for  the  poor. 

I  answered,  Yes ;  when  he  kissed  my  hand,  bedewing  it 
with  his  tears.  Sure  enough,  they  were  both  interred 
decently  in  a  beautiful  lot,  and  there  was  but  a  short 
interval  between  their  death — ^the  devoted  son  following 
his  mother  in  the  space  of  a  few  weeks.  What  a  pleas- 
ing thought  it  is,  that,  though  we  may  be  poor  and  com- 
paratively friendless  in  this  world,  Jesus  is  a  friend 
"tliat  sticketh  closer  than  a  brother!"  I  have  good 
reason  to  believe  that  this  mother  and  son  made  a  happy 
exchange,  and  realized  the  truth  of  God's  immutable 
word :  "  He  will  swallow  up  death  in  victory,  and  the 
Lord  God  will  wipe  away  tears  from  off  all  faces."  We 
should,  dear  reader,  feel  for  the  poor.  We  have  never 
known,  perhaps,  what  it  is  to  want;  God  hath  dealt 
bountifully  with  us.  But  there  are  those  in  our  midst 
that  suffer  for  the  necessaries  of  life ;  especially  in 
affliction.  Fly  to  their  succour.  Give  relief,  and  Heaven 
will  bless  your  store.  "  Blessed  is  he  that  considereth 
the  poor;  the  Lord  will  deliver  him  in  time  of  trouble." 
During  the  winter  of  1854-5,  there  was  much  suf- 
fering in  our  city.  The  benevolent  societies  did  much 
in  relieving  the  wants  of  a  very  large  class,  and  churches 
and  individuals  did  what  they  could  in  this  Christ-like 
work.  We  had  no  Dorcas  Society  in  our  church  regu- 
larly organized,  and  yet,  considering  our  circumstances, 
I  do  not  know  that  we  were  a  whit  behind  others.  We 
were  materially  aided  in  this  work  by  a  neighbour — I 

30 


360  THIRTEEN   TEARS*    EXPERIENCE 

Mrs.  Ann  B.  Castlo. 

may  well  say — a  modern  Tabitha.  This  Christian  lady 
"  was  full  of  good  works,  and  alms-deeds  which  she  did.'* 
I  allude  to  Mrs.  Ann  B.  Castle,  wife  of  Rev.  Joseph  Castle, 
Presiding  Elder  of  the  North  Philadelphia  District. 
Prom  her  the  poor  were  the  recipients  of  many  favours. 
However,  "  it  came  to  pass,  in  those  days,  that  she  was 
sick,  and  died."  Only  a  few  weeks  before  her  death, 
which  took  place  Sunday  morning,  March  11,  1855, 
knowing  that  there  were  many  in  our  congregation,  as 
well  as  most  others  that  needed  clothing,  she  sent  to  my 
residence  a  large  quantity  of  wearing  apparel,  which  was 
by  judicious  females  distributed  to  the  necessitous.  She 
forwarded  to  one  of  the  towns,  where  she  formerly  had 
resided,  a  large  package  of  goods,  for  similar  purposes, 
which  did  not  arrive  at  their  destination  till  after  her 
death. — "  She  died  in  the  work."  As  in  the  case  of 
Tabitha,  who  had  won  numerous  friends  by  making 
"  coats  and  garments  while  she  was  with  them,"  and 
they  manifested  their  friendship  by  standing  by  her 
dead  body  "in  an  upper  chamber,  weeping,"  so  had 
this  excellent  Christian  lady  a  large  circle  of  friends, 
not  only  in  Philadelphia,  but  everywhere,  wherever  with 
her  companion  her  lot  had  been  cast.  It  is  not  strange 
that  such  a  person  should  be  appreciated.  I  have  heard 
it  remarked,  in  regard  to  her,  "  She  had  a  kind  word 
for  every  one."  From  early  years  her  unselfish  and 
afiectionate  disposition  made  her  a  general  favourite 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  351 

Her  marriage  to  Rev.  Joseph  Castle. 

among  all  who  knew  her.  Innocence  and  love  were 
stamped  vipon  her  features.  She  was  blessed  with  a 
pious  mother,  who  instructed  her  in  the  things  that 
made  for  her  peace,  and  from  a  child  she  feared  the  Lord. 
AVhen  about  seventeen  years  old,  at  a  camp  meeting  in 
Pittston,  "Wyoming,  she  consecrated  fully  her  youthful 
heart  to  God,  and  on  the  following  Sabbath  united  with 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  From  that  time  she 
became  decidedly  pious,  walking  in  all  the  command- 
ments and  ordinances  of  the  Lord  blameless.  The  Sun- 
day School,  the  class  and  prayer  meetings,  and  other 
means  of  grace,  were  not  only  religious  duties,  but  reli- 
gious privileges  and  pleasures. 

In  the  autumn  of  1829,  in  her  twenty-third  year, 
she  was  united  in  marriage  to  Rev.  Joseph  Castle,  then 
a  member  of  the  Genesee  Conference,  and  cheerfully 
left  the  beautiful  valley  of  her  infancy  and  girlhood,  to 
make  sacrifices  and  encounter  difficulties  incident  to  an 
Itinerant  minister's  wife,  which  are  neither  few  nor 
small ;  but  in  every  place  her  loving  nature,  humble 
piety,  and  active  benevolence,  attracted  to  her  the 
hearts  of  rich  and  poor,  and  ever  formed  a  bond  of  de- 
lightful union  in  all  the  congregations  where  her  hus- 
band was  stationed.  She  was  a  "help-mate,"  indeed, 
lent  for  a  season,  but  taken  away  when  husband,  children, 
and  friends  least  knew  how  to  spare  her.  While  she  was 
greatly  admired  in  her  large  circle  of  friends,  she  waa 


352  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCB 

llcr  peaceful  death. 

specially  beloved  in  her  own  family.  She  was  the  con- 
stant light  and  joy  of  their  dwelling.  A  more  exem- 
plary Christian,  or  devoted  or  affectionate  wife  or  honour- 
ed mother,  perhaps  never  lived.  Her  death  was  so  sudden 
it  took  every  one  by  surprise ;  but  it  was  like  her  life, 
unselfish,  uncomplaining,  patient,  and  serene.  She  ex- 
pressed her  willingness  to  die,  or  readiness  to  live,  for 
her  family's  sake.  Christ  was  her  hope  in  life,  her  stay 
in  death — and  her  mind  was  kept  in  perfect  peace  while 
passing  the  dark  valley.  Her  equanimity  was  undis- 
turbed throughout  the  whole  distressing  scene,  and  her 
consciousness  remained  perfect  to  the  last.  A  few 
minutes  before  eleven  o'clock,  on  the  day  of  her  death, 
she  opened  her  bright  black  eyes,  and  cast,  for  a  mo- 
ment, an  intelligent  look  of  love  on  husband  and  child- 
ren weeping  around  her,  and  then  closed  them  for  ever. 

"As  sets  the  morning  star,  ■which  goes 
Not  down  behind  the  darkened  west,  nor  hides 
Obscured  among  the  tempests  of  the  sky, 
Bnt  melts  away,  into  the  light  of  Heaven. 

The  funeral  concourse  which  assembled  at  Green 
Street  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  of  which  she  was  a 
faithful  member,  was  very  large,  and  with  weeping  eyes 

witnessed  the  solemn  services. 

"  Peaceful  be  thy  silent  slumber." 

Our  friends,  who  have  "passed  on  before,"  have 


IN   THE    ITINERANCY.  35e3 

"The  contrast  is  great."  Course  of  lectures. 

thrown  off  every  burden,  and  escaped  from  every  snare. 
"  The  head  aches  no  more ;  the  eye  forgets  to  weep ; 
the  flesh  is  no  longer  racked  with  acute,  nor  wasted 
with  lingering  distempers."  Released  from  pain  and 
sorrow,  danger  never  threatens  them,  tranquillity  softens 
their  couch,  and  safety  guards  their  repose.  "Blessed 
are  the  dead  which  die  in  the  Lord  from  henceforth : 
Yea,  saith  the  Spirit,  that  they  rest  from  their  labours ; 
and  their  works  do  follow  them." 

In  our  newly  dedicated  house,  we  found  it  good  to 
wait  upon  the  Lord.  Many  predicted  that,  when  the 
Plank  Church  excitement  was  over,  the  congregation 
would  diminish,  but  we  found  our  large  brick  edifice, 
fifty-six  by  eighty  feet,  was  filled  to  overflowing,  and 
frequently  hundreds  had  to  go  away  for  the  want  of 
room.  Rev.  Thomas  C.  Murphey,  who  only  two  years 
before  had  the  little  church  in  Seventeenth  St.  under  his 
control,  in  connexion  with  other  mission  churches,  was 
with  me  on  a  Sabbath  evening  in  the  new  Hedding 
Church  ;  and  when  he  arose  and  saw  such  a  vast  crowd 
of  persons,  ready  to  hear  the  word,  he  said,  "My 
feelings  almost  overpower  me,  and  I  am  compelled  to 
ask,  What  hath  God  wrought  ?  the  contrast  is  great." 
The  circumstances  apparently  inspired  him,  and  the  ser- 
mon that  followed  "  had  free  course  and  was  glorified." 

It  was  deemed  expedient  in  the  winter  of  1855,  to 
have  a  course  of  lectures  in  the  church :  which  we  sup- 
30* 


354  THIRTEEN   tears'    EXPERIENCE 

Novel  expedient. 

posed  would  be  a  source  of  improvement  and  also  a 
financial  gain  to  the  trustees.  Rev.  A.  A.  Willetts,  Eev. 
Alfred  Cookman,  Rev.  George  Loomis,  Professor  William 
Allen,  and  Rev.  Col.  Lehmanouskj,  all  delivered  very 
entertaining  lectures.  After  the  course  of  lectures  was 
over,  we  resumed  in  our  new  church  our  favourite  work 
of  trying  to  get  sinners  converted.  The  minds  of  the 
people  had  been  diverted,  and  there  seemed  to  be  a 
reaction  in .  this  absorbing  business.  Not  a  man  came 
forward.  It  was  a  dark  hour.  The  devil  tried  to  tempt 
me  that  we  had  desecrated  the  house  of  God,  and  there 
never  would  be  another  soul  converted  in  it  during  my 
connexion  with  it.  I  told  the  devil  publicly,  "You  are  a 
liar  and  the  father  of  lies,  and  I  will,  by  the  help  of  God, 
prove  you  to  be  a  liar  this  night."  Quick  as  thought, 
without  previous  meditation,  the  directions  given  to 
Joshua,  the  leader  of  Israel,  relating  to  Jericho,  came 
into  my  mind.  I  gave  direction  to  the  brethren  to 
march  round  the  church,  and  if  it  were  necessary,  let 
the  church  be  compassed  seven  times.  The  direction 
was  strictly  adhered  to  ;  at  first  when  we  began  to  walk 
about  Zion,  the  number  was  comparatively  small,  but  we 
had  not  passed  round  about  the  church  more  than  twice, 
ere  there  was  "an  exceeding  great  army" — stai'ting 
from  the  altar  on  the  north  aisle,  going  west  to  the  back 
part  of  the  church,  then  coming  east  in  the  southern 
aisle  until  they  reached  the  altar.     We  had  no  "  trum- 


IN  THE   ITINERANCY.  355 


Thougli  novel  yet  successful. 


pets  of  rains'  horns"  to  blow,  yet  we  did  the  best  we 
could  in  blowing  the  gospel  trumpet  by  singing  with 
much  spirit, 

"Blow  ye  the  trumpet,  blow ; 
The  gladly  solemn  sound ; 
Let  all  the  nations  know, 
To  earth's  remotest  bound. 

The  gospel  trumpet  hear, 

The  news  of  heavenly  grace  ; 

And  saved  from  earth,  appear 
Before  your  Saviour's  face." 

I  can  also  testify  that  "  all  the  people  did  shout  with  a 
great  shout,"  and  by  the  time  we  compassed  the  church 
seven  times,  the  power  of  the  enemy  was  curtailed,  and 
"the  mighty  men  of  valour"  were  conquered,  and  sinner 
after  sinner  fell  prostrate  at  oui'  altar,  and  it  was  filled 
with  earnest  seekers  of  salvation.  Several  were  power- 
fully converted.  I  felt  free  to  say  to  the  people,  "  Shout ! 
for  the  Lord  hath  given  you  the  city."  This  gave  a 
fresh  and  powerful  impetus  to  our  spiritual  operations. 
Does  any  one  question  the  propriety  of  such  a  course  ? 
If  so,  I  will  inform  him  that  on  that  night,  a  gentleman, 
the  head  of  a  family  of  the  highest  reepectabiliiy,  and 
who  never  before  was  impressed,  was  led  to  fall  prostrate 
at  Jesus'  feet.  While  the  people  of  God  passed  on  and 
compassed  the  church,  singing  and  shouting,  his  heart 
melted,  he  trembled,  he  yielded  and  was  happily  con 


356         THIRTEEN  YEARS*  EXPERIENCB 

How  to  prevent  reaction. 

verted.  lie  only  lived  a  few  montlis.  I  visited  him  on 
his  dying  bed,  I  administered  to  him  the  ordinance  of 
Christian  baptism,  a  few  days  before  he  left  the  world. 
His  end  was  not  only  peaceful,  but  triumphant.  His 
wife,  who  survives  him,  and  who  is  a  valuable  member  of 
the  Church  now,  was  likewise  arrested  by  this  uncommon 
course.  When  the  devil  "  Shall  come  in  like  a  flood, 
the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  shall  lift  up  a  standard  against 
him."  AVhen  this  conflict  commenced  with  the  powers 
of  darkness,  many  felt  the  "  gates  of  hell"  are  likely  to 
prevail  against  us ;  but  soon  all  were  ready  to  say,  the 
troops  of  the  enemy  are  receiving  a  "galling  fire,"  and 
the  field  was  left  to  Zion's  sons. 

Our  meetings  during  the  two  years  had  been  remark- 
ably prosperous,  unprecedented  in  my  feeble  Itinerant 
life.  I  had  command  of  a  Spartan  band  determined 
upon  victory  or  death.  We  appointed  the  new  converts 
to  classes,  and  endeavoured  to  use  proper  means  to  con- 
firm and  establish  them  in  the  practice  of  true  piety. 
We  did  what  we  could  to  place  in  their  hands  books  and 
periodicals  of  the  right  character.  The  reaction,  talked 
of  by  some,  was  to  a  great  extent  avoided.  A  few  went 
back  to  the  world,  and  this  we  shall  generally  realize  in 
revivals ;  but  some  of  the  number  have  died  happy  in 
God,  and  have  gone  home  to  glory ;  while  a  large  number 
are  steadfast  pillars  in  the  Church  of  God.  There  are 
those   in   every   church,  ready  to   offer   objections   to 


IN  THE   ITINERANCY.  357 


Revivals  defended.  Prosperity  of  Hedding  Church. 

revivals  of  religion,  but  the  general  spirit  of  the  Bible 
is  in  favour  of  revivals.  There  are  many  signal  instances 
in  which  God  has  poured  out  his  Spirit,  and  effected  a 
sudden  and  general  reformation.  The  Church  should 
continually  pray  for  revivals.  To  them  she  must  look  for 
accessions  both  to  her  numbers  and  her  strength.  May 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  ever  remember  she  is  a 
revival  Church  !  Let  this  be  her  prominent  characteris- 
tic, and  we  need  not  for  one  moment  entertain  fears 
that  we  shall  decline,  and  lose  our  influent  j  over  the 
people  and  over  our  children.  The  praise  of  revivals  is 
upon  her  lips,  and  upon  the  lips  of  her  sons  and  daugh- 
ters, who  come  crowding  to  her  solemn  feasts.  .-  He 
whose  name  is  holy,  will  dwell  "  with  him  that  is  of  a 
contrite  and  humble  spirit,  to  revive  the  spirit  of  the 
humble,  and  to  revive  the  heart  of  the  contrite  ones." 

These  were  palmy  days,  and  days  never  to  be  for- 
gotten in  the  history  of  Hedding  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  Philadelphia.  There  were  over  ten  thousand 
dollars  paid  on  the  property,  and  enough  money  besides 
subscribed,  to  have  swallowed  up  the  debt  entirely;  but 
owing  to  the  stagnation  in  business,  and  many  of  our 
subscribers  being  thrown  out  of  business,  it  was  impos- 
sible to  collect  it.  This  society,  although  it  never  had 
appropriated  to  it  one  dollar  missionary  money,  pro- 
vided for  the  pastor,  and  provided  well.  And  last, 
though  not  least,  the  membership  had  been  so  increased, 


358  THIRTEEN  YEARS'    EXrERIENCB 

"  A  more  excellent  way." 

that  I  was  enabled  to  report  at  Conference,  in  the 
spring  of  1855,  four  hundred  and  tldrty-jive  in  society  ! 
and  our  usual  congregation  was  about  one  tJiousand, 
We  all  felt,  however,  this  work  was  "  Not  by  might, 
nor  by  power,  but  by  my  Spirit,  saith  the  Lord  of 
hosts." 

I  may  be  considered  an  "  old  fogy,''  but  when  I  hear 
persons  calling  for  alterations  in  lletJiodism,  especially 
in  the  cities,  in  order  to  make  it  more  efficient,  it  is  deeply 
impressed  upon  my  mind  to  inquire  modestly,  is  there 
not  "a  more  excellent  way?"  I  think  so.  If  my 
readers  ask  what  way  I  mean,  I  answer,  "  Stand  ye  in 
the  ways,  and  see,  and  ask  for  the  old  paths,  where  is 
the  good  way,  and  walk  therein,  and  ye  shall  find  rest 
for  your  souls."  As  ministers,  let  us  preach  Christ  and 
him  crucified,  attend  prayer  meetings  and  camp  meet- 
ings, hold  love  feasts,  visit  the  classes,  go  from  house  to 
house  among  the  people,  pray  with  them  in  their 
families,  and  labour  constantly  for  revivals  of  religion, 
not  recognising  "the  spirit  of  the  age"  as  a  controlling 
influence,  but  control  "the  spirit  of  the  age."  Invite 
Young  America  forward  to  the  mourners'  bench,  and 
have  him  powerfully  converted  to  God ;  and,  while  he 
prays,  "  God  have  mercy  upon  me  a  sinner,"  "  Save, 
Lord,  or  I  perish,"  sing  over  him, 

"  The  good  old  way  is  a  righteous  way, 

I  hope  to  live  and  die  in  the  good  old  way." 


IN  THE  ITINERANCY.  359 

Induced  to  take  a  snpernumerary  relation. 

And  exliort  him  to  "  Believe  on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ," 
and  "walk  by  the  same  rule,  mind  the  same  thing." 
God's  method  of  saving  a  soul  never  changes.  Brethren 
in  the  ministry,  should  not  our  preaching  be  aimed 
directly  at  the  conversion  of  sinners  ?  Let  us  make  this 
our  first,  highest,  and  only  aim.  Then  the  gospel  would 
be  "quick  and  powerful,  and  sharper  than  any  two- 
edged  sword,  piercing  even  to  the  dividing  asunder  of 
the  soul  and  spirit,  and  of  the  joints  and  marrow."  If 
we  can  have  wide-spread  powerful  revivals  of  religion, 
nothing  will  be  left  undone  that  ought  to  be  done ;  we 
shall,  as  a  church,  accomplish  that  for  which  God  raised 
us  up,  and  it  will  be  said  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  "  Who  is  she  that  looketh  forth  as  the  morning, 
fair  as  the  moon,  clear  as  the  sun,  and  terrible  as  an 
army  with  banners?" 

My  attachment  to  Hedding  Church  was  very  strong ; 
a  large  proportion  of  the  membership  I  had  seen  con- 
verted, and  had  taken  into  society.  They  were  breth- 
ren and  sisters,  "  beloved,  especially  to  me."  I  did  sup- 
pose that  it  would  be  requisite  at  the  close  of  this  Con- 
ference year  to  say,  "Finally,  brethren,  farewell." 
Had  this  been  the  case  I  would  have  urged,  "  Be  per- 
fect, be  of  good  comfort,  be  of  one  mind,  live  in  peace ; 
and  the  God  of  love  and  peace  shall  be  with  you." 
However,  in  the  spring  of  1855,  at  the  Conference  held 
in  Lancaster,  Pa.,  I  was  induced,  by  the  advice  of  my 


360  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

Returned  to  Iledding  Church  with  an  assistant. 

friends,  to  take  a  supernumerary  relation.  This  I  con- 
sented to  do  for  two  reasons :  First,  My  health  was 
much  enfeebled  by  excessive  labours  in  the  Itinerancy, 
though  only  thirty-three  years  of  age.  Secondly,  The 
circumstances  called  loudly  for  my  return  to  the  charge  of 
Hedding  Methodist  Episcopal  Church ;  and  although  I  had 
not  been  in  charge  of  that  particular  church  two  full  years, 
yet  I  had  been  in  charge  one  year  and  eight  months, 
and  it  was  a  part  of  my  field  of  labour  also,  from  the 
Conference  of  1853,  till  its  organization  into  a  separate 
station,  August  9th,  1853 ;  therefore  it  was  decided 
that,  according  to  our  polity,  I  could  not  be  sent  back 
another  year  in  the  regular  way ;  but  that  I  could  be 
placed  in  charge  of  the  station,  by  taking  the  super- 
numerary relation.  I  did  this  conscientiously,  as  I  was 
in  comparatively  ill  health,  and  as  a  prudential  regula- 
tion for  the  good  of  the  infant  church.  To  this  arrange- 
ment I  gave  my  assent,  with  the  understanding  that  I 
should  have  an  assistant  sent  with  me,  and  that  I  should 
have  the  privilege  to  use  means  for  the  recovery  of  my 
health.  Rev.  William  M.  Warner,  being  deemed  a 
suitable  young  man,  was  appointed  with  me,  and  has 
proved  himself  to  be  a  "  true  yoke-fellow." 

The  Hedding  Church  was,  this  spring,  the  means  of 
sending  forth  into  the  travelling  connexion  at  least  three 
ministers.  D©  we,  as  a  general  thing,  do  our  duty  in 
encouraging  pious  men  to  engage  in  the  work  of  the 


IN  THE   ITINERANCY.  861 


The  Churcli  should  encourage  those  called  to  the  ministry. 

Itinerancy  ?  The  Churcli  should,  however,  be  careful 
not  to  lay  hands  suddenly  on  any  man ;  and  I  doubt  not 
but  some  have  run  before  they  were  properly  sent. 
Says  one  of  high  standing  on  this  subject,  "  A  call  to  the 
ministry  may  be  defined  a  persuasion,  wrought  by  the  Huly 
Ghost  in  the  mind  of  an  individual,  that  it  is  his  duty  to 
become  a  preacher  of  the  gospel.  This  impression 
varies  greatly  in  clearness  and  intensity  in  different 
individuals,  and  in  the  same  individual  at  different 
times.  It  is  commonly  developed  and  matured  by 
prayer,  by  self-examination,  by  perusing  the  Scriptures, 
by  hearing  the  gospel,  by  pious  conference,  by  medi- 
tating upon  the  wants  of  the  Church  and  of  the  world — 
in  a  word,  by  all  those  means  which  deepen  piety,  and 
make  more  fervent  our  love  to  Christ." 

If  a  person  is  thus  impressed,  the  Church  should 
open,  as  far  as  possible,  his  way,  and  bid  him  God 
speed;  for  "the  harvest  truly  is  plenteous,  but  the 
labourers  are  few.  Pray  ye,  therefore,  the  Lord  of  the 
harvest,  that  he  will  send  forth  labourers  into  his  vine- 
yard." "While  there  are  those  over  anxious  to  engage 
in  this  work,  there  is,  frequently,  in  the  different 
churches,  those  to  be  found — young  men  of  sterling 
worth — deterred  by  modesty  and  self-distrust  from 
making  known  to  prudent  and  pious  friends  their 
exercises  of  mind  with  regard  to  engaging  in  the 
ministry. 

31 


362  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

*'  Toll  your  family  to  cheer  up — all  will  be  well." 

One  of  the  brethren  who  went  forth  from  our  church 
this  spring,  was  a  married  man,  and  is  now  travelling, 
not  in  the  Philadelphia,  but  another  Conference,  with 
great  acceptability  and  usefulness.  After  he  was 
assigned  to  his  field  of  labour,  and  while  he  was  arrang- 
ing to  move  his  family  and  enter  upon  the  duties  of  his 
charge,  he  ascertained  that  his  hopes,  relative  to  obtain- 
ing a  horse  and  carriage,  were  blasted  in  the  direction 
he  looked  for  help.  His  noble  heart  was  about  to  fail 
him ;  his  family  were  also  in  much  distress.  He  visited 
me,  cast  down,  ready  to  despair,  and  although,  like 
Paul,  he  realized,  ^'  Woe  unto  me  if  I  preach  not  the 
gospel,"  he  said,  "  I  thank  you  for  what  you  have  done  in 
my  case  ;  I  owe  you  a  debt  of  gratitude  I  shall  never  be 
able  to  pay ;  but  it  is  all  over  with  yne  now ;  I  cannot 
go  without  a  horse  at  least,  inasmuch  as  the  Circuit  is 
large.  I  have  been  disappointed  in  this  respect.'* 
"  The  rich  hath  many  friends."  But  can  this  be  said  of 
the  poor  ?  I  saw  tears  in  his  eyes,  and  from  the  impulse 
of  the  moment  I  said  to  him,  "  In  the  strength  of  the 
Lord  you  shall  go^  and  you  shall  have  a  decent  outfit ; 
go  home,  and  tell  your  family  to  cheer  up ;  all  will  be 
well."  Their  goods  were  accordingly  shipped  on  that 
day  (Thursday)  for  their  destined  place,  and  I  took  the 
cars  for  Wilmington,  thinking  I  could  make  a  better 
purchase  there,  and,  in  company  with  a  friend,  who  was 
an  excellent  judge  of  horses,  we  went  from  place  to 


IN  THE   ITINERANCY.  363 

The  horse,  Itinerant. 

place,  and  finally  found  a  noble  animal  that  we  con- 
sidered admirably  suited  to  the  purpose  for  "which  we 
•wanted  him;  he  was  purchased.  Not  many  words  were 
used  in  buying  either  the  horse  or  carriage.  Together 
the  cost  was  two  hundred  dollars.  My  notes  were  given 
and  thrown  into  bank  in  that  city.  The  intelligence 
was  conveyed  to  the  preacher  and  his  family  that  night. 
It  was  like  *^good  news  from  a  far  country."  The 
horse  and  carriage  were  brought  the  next  day  to  Phila- 
delphia. I  resolved,  although  the  animal  was  fat,  and 
bid  fair  to  live  many  years,  to  have  his  life  insured! 
He  was  taken  to  the  "Live  Stock  Insurance  Office,"  in 
Walnut  Street,  Philadelphia,  of  which  Hon.  Benjamin 
R.  Miller  is  president,  and  his  life  was  insured.  The 
proper  officer  asked,  "  What  is  to  be  the  name  of  the 
horse  in  the  policy?"  I  told  him  to  call  him  "Itine- 
rant." On  a  Saturday  morning  in  the  month  of  April, 
this  Itinerant  family  repaired  in  fine  spirits  to  their  field 
of  toil,  with  a  bright  prospect  of  usefulness  before  them. 
My  object  in  insuring  the  horse  was,  that  if  he 
should  die,  another  "Itinerant"  might  be  purchased,  so 
that  the  chariot  wheels  of  my  worthy  brother  might  not 
be  clogged  in  carrying  the  gospel  into  every  nook  and 
corner  of  his  extensive  field.  Some  of  my  very  best 
friends  upbraided  me  for  making  this  outlay,  and  plainly- 
told  me,  "  You  will  ruin  yourself,  and  bring  your  family 
to  want."     They ^ asked,  "How  can  you  expect  that 


364        THIRTEEN  years'  EXPERIENCE 

"Bo  not  afraid;  only  believe." 

dear  man,  with  liis  family  looking  to  him  for  support,  to 
replace  the  money  ?  It  will  require  many  years,  if  ever 
it  is  done."  I  felt  in  this  case  like  saying  we  should 
"Be  sure  we  are  right,  and  go  ahead."  Have  we  any- 
thing to  fear  when  we  "  trust  in  the  name  of  the  Lord, 
and  stay  upon  our  God  ?"  The  day  for  the  payment  of 
the  notes  rolled  round ;  although  I  had  received  no 
tidings  from  my  friend,  I  was  enabled,  in  a  way  I  knew 
not,  to  pay  the  notes  promptly.  In  one  or  two  days 
thereafter,  I  received  a  letter  from  the  befriended  one 
with  the  enth'e  amount  enclosed !  The  Lord  was  good 
to  him,  friends  rallied  around  him,  and  enabled  him  to 
reimburse  his  fellow-itinerant.  This  overjoyed  his  mag- 
nanimous soul.     There  is  much  truth  in  the  sentiment, 

"  To  generous  minds 
The  heaviest  debt  is  that  of  gratitude 
When  'tis  not  in  our  power  to  repay  it." 

Pure,  disinterested  friendship  ought  to  be  appre- 
ciated. It  is  a  rare  commodity.  There  is  much  pre- 
tended friendship,  but  let  adversity  come,  then  we  may 
know  more  of  our  friends.  In  too  many  cases  we  shall 
find  they  were  sunshine  friends,  and  will  escape  for  their 
lives  like  rats  from  a  barn  in  flames !  "  Ten  to  one, 
those  who  have  enjoyed  the  most  sunshine,  will  be  the 
first  to  forsake,   censure,  and  reproach.     Friendship, 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  365 

Visit  to  Europe  proposed. 

based  entirely  on  self,  ends  in  desertion  the  moment  the 
selfish  ends  are  accomplished,  or  fnistrated." 

I  have  felt,  myself,  the  force  of  the  adage,  *'  A  friend 
in  need  is  a  friend  indeed." 

<«  These  I  remember,  these  selectest  men ; 
And  would  their  names  record — but  what  avails 
My  mention  of  their  name :  before  the  throne 
They  stand  illustrious  'mong  the  loudest  harps, 
And  will  receive  thee  glad,  my  friend  and  theirs. 
For  all  are  friends  in  Heaven ;  all  faithful  friends  ; 
And  many  friendships  in  the  days  of  time 
Begun,  are  lasting  here,  and  growing  still ; 
So  grow  ours  ever  more,  both  theirs  and  mine." 

In  the  month  of  June,  1855,  being  thus  advised  by 
friends  and  physicians,  I  seriously  thought  of  cross- 
ing the  ocean,  and  looking  upon  scenes  in  the  old  world. 
Medical  men  expressed  to  me  the  opinion  that  such  a 
sea  voyage  would  be  of  great  service  to  me ;  and  gave  it 
as  their  opinion  that  nothing  that  I  could  do  would  be 
so  likely  to  restore  my  health,  and  add  to  my  life  many 
years.  The  expense  of  the  visit  to  Europe  was  one  of 
the  barriers  in  my  way ;  this,  however,  was  a  difl5culty 
soon  surmounted  by  the  co-operation  of  friends.  Be  it 
spoken  to  the  credit  of  my  friend  Alexander  Cummings, 
Esq.,  who  interested  himself,  and  procured  for  me  a 
passage  in  a  splendid  clipper  ship,  without  any  expense 
to  me  whatever.  Through  the  influence  of  this  gentle- 
31* 


360  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

Embarked  for  Europe.  Disappointment. 

man,  the  firm  of  Bishop,  Simons  &  Co.  invited  me 
urgently  to  sail  on  their  noble  ship  "Monitou."  As  I 
had  an  assistant,  who  resided  in  my  family,  it  occurred 
to  me  both  the  church  and  they  could  spare  me  now  as 
well  as  at  any  future  time.  Therefore  I  resolved  to 
make  the  experiment.  This  being  the  decision,  I  used 
all  possible  despatch  in  getting  ready ;  for  there  was 
only  a  day  or  two  ere  the  ship  would  sail,  after  I  fully 
made  up  my  mind  to  go.  I  supposed  I  had  all  things 
adjusted,  and  took  my  leave  of  family  and  friends  on 
the  20th  of  June,  and  found  myself  slowly  gliding  down 
the  Delaware  river,  fully  expecting  to  .be  absent  from 
my  family,  church,  and  native  land  at  least  three  or 
four  months.  A  fellow-passenger  from  Ohio  was  inclined 
to  be  very  friendly  and  conversational.  He  asked  me 
many  questions,  and  among  the  rest,  "Have  you  pro- 
vided yourself  with  a  passport  ?"  This  was  a  matter  of 
great  importance,  which  both  myself  and  my  friends, 
who  kindly  aided  me  in  this  undertaking,  had  lost  sight  of. 
The  passenger  alluded  to,  said,  "  I  would  not  go  on 
without  it ;  I  considered  it  of  so  much  importance  that  I 
went  all  the  way  to  Washington  and  procured  my  pass- 
port from  head-quarters."  I  had  anticipated  going  in 
another  ship,  which  would  sail  five  days  later ;  and  I  came 
to  the  conclusion  it  would,  under  all  the  circumstances, 
be  more  judicious  for  me  to  return,  (as  we  had  not  yet 
cleared  the  Capes,)  adjust  my  neglected  passport  busi- 


m   THE   ITINERANCY.  3G7 


Blasted  anticipations. 


ness,  and  re-start  in  the  ship  first  thought  of.  The 
captain  of  our  ship  was  a  gentleman,  and  he  and  crew, 
as  well  as  my  fellow-passengers,  appeared  deeply  to 
regret  my  leaving.  This  ship  crossed  from  Philadelphia 
to  London  in  fifteen  days.  When  I  reached  home,  I 
took  my  family  and  friends  by  surprise.  I  found  diffi- 
culties to  exist  in  the  church  that  seemed  to  require  that 
I  should  remain  at  home.  My  health  required  that  I 
should  go  on ;  this  voyage  would  have  doubtless  been  to 
me  a  means  of  very  great  improvement.  I  felt  as  though 
I  would  take  great  pleasure  in  treading  the  soil  of  the 
Wesleys.  I  would  have  been  much  delighted  to  have 
"  meditated  amongst  the  tombs"  in  Epworth  churchyard. 
I  would  there  have  seen  the  tomb  of  Wesley's  father,  and 
the  birth-place  of  the  founder  of  Methodism.  I  might 
have  seen  there  that  venerable  pile,  the  parish  church  of 
Epworth,  in  which  he  was  presented  at  the  baptismal 
font  by  his  illustrious  mother,  and  consecrated  to  God, 
the  Church,  and  the  world.  It  would  have  afforded  me 
much  pleasure  to  see  the  graves  of  such  men  as  John 
Wesley,  Adam  Clark,  Richard  Watson,  and  others  of 
precious  memory.  I  think  I  should  have  involuntarily 
exclaimed,  May  their  spirit  descend  upon  me  !  It  would 
have  afforded  me  unspeakable  delight  to  worship  the 
God  of  my  fathers  in  the  City  Road  Chapel  and  similar 
places ;  and  to  commingle  and  take  sweet  counsel  with 
living  Wesleyan  ministers  to  whom  I  was  to  bear  letters 


368  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

Disappointment  apparently  providential. 

of  introduction  from  many  of  our  most  prominent  minis- 
ters, -which  would  have  guarantied  to  me  a  welcome; 
and  from  them  I  should  have  learned  much,  and  doubt- 
less had  both  my  head  and  heart  improved.  I  should 
have  seen  more  clearly  than  ever,  "The  best  of  all  is, 
God  is  with  us."  And,  though  I  did  not  realize  my 
hopes,  I  will  say,  and  say  it  feelingly  and  understand- 

"Mountains  rise  and  oceans  roll, 
To  sever  us  in  vain." 

Although  this  was  the  greatest  disappointment  of 
my  life,  yet,  for  ZiorCs  sake,  I  felt  willing  to  forego  all 
the  pleasure  and  benefit,  every  way,  that  would  have 
accrued  to  me  from  the  prosecution  of  this  contemplated 
trip  to  the  fatherland.  I  have  reason  to  believe  that 
my  return  was  ordered  by  Providence;  and  I  fii'mly 
believed  all  would  "work  together  for  good,  to  them 
that  love  God,  to  them  who  are  called  according  to  his 
purpose." 

The  Hedding  Church  had  never  seen  a  darker  hour. 
The  sun  of  prosperity,  which  had  been  shining  forth  so 
brilliantly,  was  suddenly  obscured.  The  storm  was  upon 
us.  Trusting  in  that  God,  who  said  in  the  storm, 
"Peace,  be  still,  and  there  was  a  great  calm,"  I  said, 
"Brethren,  I  see  the  lowering  cloud;  a  good  captain 4 
will  not  desert  his  ship  in  time  of  a  storm ;  I  am,  if  it 
costs  me  my  life,  at  the  helm ;  if  the  ship  goes  down  I  go 


IN   THE   ITINEKANCY. 


Don't  let  her  drive.' 


with  her."  We  tried  to  undergird  our  ship,  not  literally 
•with  strong  cables,  hut  "with  hands  of  love."  Every 
one  on  board  saw  the  necessity  of  the  ship  being 
lightened ;  not  by  throwing  our  guns  overboard,  but  by 
throwing  off  some  of  our  financial  burden ;  and  we 
fondly  hoped  she  could  live  at  sea.  We  did  not  wish  to 
*'  let  her  drive."  We  were  at  our  wits'  end  ;  but  all  hope 
that  we  should  be  saved  ivas  not  taken  away.  I  tried 
to  exhort  the  brethren  "to  be  of  good  cheer."  Every 
man  called  on  his  God.  Favourable  winds  that  would 
waft  us  into  the  desired  haven,  soon  began  to  blow 
softly.  We  could  joyfully  exclaim,  "  There  is  land 
ahead;"  "we  are  rounding  the  cape."  May  she  ever 
be  in  sailing  trim,  and  heavily  freighted  with  passengers, 
bound  for  the  Celestial  City,  the  Heavenly  port ;  and  as 
they  glide  over  the  sea  of  life,  homeward  bound,  may 
they  look  to  their  Infallible  Pilot,  and  say, 

"  Be  thy  statutes  so  engraven 

On  our  hearts  and  minds,  that  we, 
Anchoring  in  death's  quiet  haven, 
All  may  make  our  home  with  thee." 

There  are  dark  seasons  in  every  one's  history ;  we 
must  encounter  storms  in  navigating  life's  sea.  This 
will  apply  to  nations,  churches,  families,  and  individuals. 
It  is  well  it  is  so.  "I  went  astray  before  I  was 
afflicted."  But  we  must  not  lose  sight  of  those  sweet 
lines, 


370  THIRTEEN    YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

"Light  is  sown  for  the  righteous." 

*•  The  gloomiest  day  hatli  gleams  of  light, 

The  darkest  wave  hath  bright  foam  near  it ; 
And  twinkles  through  the  cloudiest  night 
Some  solitary  star  to  cheer  it. 

"  The  gloomiest  soul  is  not  all  gloom  ; 
The  saddest  heart  is  not  all  sadness ;  • 
And  sweetly  o'er  the  darkest  doom 
There  shines  some  lingering  beam  of  gladness." 

In  order  to  "steady  helm,"  however,  an  honourable 
and  amicable  arrangement  was  made  with  those  to  whom 
the  Church  was  indebted.  The  agreement  was,  that 
three  hundred  dollars  should  be  paid  each  month  until 
a  loan  upon  the  property  could  be  obtained ;  which  was 
by  all  deemed  plausible,  and  an  entire  settlement  made. 
The  trustees  would  have  at  once  consummated  this  matter 
if  they  could,  but  in  the  effort  they  failed ;  this  being 
the  case,  we  fell  upon  the  other  alternative,  and  all  legal 
proceedings  on  the  faith  that  this  contract  would  he  car- 
ried out  were  stopped.  In  view  of  the  weakness  of  the 
church,  and  of  the  much  that  had  been  done  at  home, 
I  offered  for  a  few  months  at  least  to  go  abroad  and 
aid  my  struggling  brethren.  Persons  that  help  them- 
selves, as  we  had  tried  to  do,  will  have  sympathy  and 
help  in  time  of  need  from  others.  To  aid  the  church, 
and  for  the  improvement  of  my  health,  and  to  see  the 
wonders  of  redeeming  love,  I  spent  several  weeks  in  the 
tented  grove.    The  camp  meetings  were  specially  success- 


IN  THE   ITINERANCY.  371 

Dedication  of  church  at  Indiantown,  Md. 

ful  on  the  Peninsula.  Shall  it  be  said  that  the  days  for 
camp  meetings  are  passed  ?  I  attended  one  in  Dorches- 
ter county,  Maryland,  which  was  held  by  Rev.  Robert 
E.  Kemp.  A  year  previously,  there  was  a  similar  meet- 
ing held  in  the  same  place  by  Rev.  James  Hargis,  which 
was  the  means  of  building  an  excellent  church  not  far 
from  the  encampment,  in  a  neighbourhood  which  for 
many  years  had  been  much  neglected.  This  church,  on 
the  last  Sunday  in  the  month  of  May,  1855,  was  dedi- 
cated-to  the  worship  of  Almighty  God.  In  the  provi- 
dence of  God,  it  was  my  privilege  to  officiate  on  that 
occasion.  And,  after  everything  else  was  done,  the 
ministers,  trustees,  and  building  committee  held  a 
meeting  together  to  fix  upon  a  name  by  which  this 
church  should  be  called.  And  my  readers  will  be  as 
much  surprised  as  myself,  when  I  state  that  it  was 
resolved  to  designate  it  "  Manship  Chapel."  I  had 
received  no  intimation  from  the  brethren  to  this  effect, 
and  I  urged  them  to  recede ;  but  they  said,  preachers 
and  people,  what  is  written  is  written.  I  arose,  and 
said,  "  Many  among  whom  I  have  gone  preaching  have 
had  the  kindness  to  name  their  children  after  me, 
unworthy,  unfaithful,  and  unprofitable  as  I  am.  I  doubt 
the  expediency  of  this  course ;  this,  however,  is  the 
first  church  edifice  that  has  had  my  poor  name  applied 
to  it.  I  think,  brethren,  you  have  erred;  but,  God 
being  my  helper,  I  pledge  you  '  my  life,  my  fortune,  an^^ 


372  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

Camp  meeting  near  Milton,  Del. 

my  sacred  honour'  that  I  will  never  bring  a  reproach 
upon  it.  I  ask  an  interest  in  your  prayers.  *  Brethren, 
pray  for  us.'  Neither  you  nor  I  should  ever  lose  sight- 
of  the  possibility  of  falling.  *  Wherefore,  let  him  that 
thinketh  he  standeth,  take  heed  lest  he  fall.'  My  heart's 
desire  and  prayer  to  God  is,  that  this  neat  church  in  the 
•wildeniess,  built  through  camp  meeting  influence,  may 
be  the  spiritual  birth-place  of  scores  and  hundreds. 

Here  let  the  great  Redeemer  reign, 
With  all  the  graces  of  bis  train ; 
While  power  Divine  his  word  attends. 
To  conquer  foes,  and  cheer  his  friends. 
And,  in  the  great  decisive  day, 
When  God  the  nations  shall  survey, 
May  it  before  the  world  appear 
That  crowds  were  bom  to  glory  here !' " 

The  last  though  not  least  of  the  series  of  camp 
meetings  I  attended  was  in  Sussex  county,  Delaware. 
In  company  with  Bishop  Scott,  I  went  to  this  meeting 
comparatively  a  stranger.  However,  at  a  camp  meet- 
ing, my  spiritual  birth-place,  I  never  feel  that  I  am  out 
of  my  element,  or  that  I  am  a  stranger.  There  was 
much  simplicity  and  power  in  the  meetings ;  conversions 
at  this  camp  meeting  were  very  powerful.  I  will  give  a 
ease.  A  stout  young  man,  who  attended  the  meeting 
for  no  special  spiritual  good,  was  deeply  convicted.  He 
started  away  from  the  aisle  and  went  beyond  the  circle 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  373 

Ex-Governor  Hazzarcl. 

of  the  tents,  trying  to  ^'  shake  off  his  guilty  fears,"  but 
he  fell  under  the  power  of  God  in  the  woods,  and  under 
the  foliage  of  a  stout  tree  he  cried  for  mercy.  The 
people  of  God  instructed  him,  prayed  with  him,  and 
sung  sweetly  over  him.  A  little  lamp  was  hung  up  over 
him  in  the  tree  to  give  light,  for  the  night  was  dark. 
But  the  candle  of  the  Lord,  after  a  hard  struggle,  shone 
upon  his  head,  and  by  heaven's  light,  he  was  enabled  to 
walk  through  darkness.  He  realized  the  truth  of  the 
passage,  "Weeping  may  endure  for  a  night,  but  joy 
cometh  in  the  morning."  It  was  on  Saturday  night, 
and  it  was,  I  presume,  near  the  break  of  day, 

'•When  Jesus  washed  his  sins  away." 

I  never  saw  a  happier  man  than  he  was  on  the  Sabbath 
day  that  followed.  He  could  scarcely  tell  "  whether  he 
was  in  the  body,  or  whether  out  of  the  body."  Many 
similar  incidents  might  be  given,  for  their  name  was 
legion,  which  came  under  my  observation  on  this  camp 
meeting  tour. 

I  formed  the  acquaintance  here  more  intimately  of 
ex-Governor  Hazzard,  of  Delaware.  He  is  now,  and 
has  been  for  the  last  forty  years,  a  devoted  Christian, 
and  a  faithful  class-leader,  ardently  attached  to  Metho- 
dism. Whether  in  the  gubernatorial  chair,  on  the 
judicial  bench,  in  the  halls  of  legislation,  at  home  or 
abroad,  he  has  maintained  his  Christian  principles  and 
32 


374  THIRTEEN    years'    EXPERIENCE 

Enthusiasm  in  giving. 

character.  Many  public  men,  who  seem  to  be  pious  at 
home,  dispense  with  their  religious  duties  and  habits 
when  they  go  abroad  and  enter  upon  public  life.  Not 
so  with  this  venerable  gentleman ;  he  is  the  same  man 
abroad  as  at  home.  His  house  has  always  been  a  home 
for  the  ministers  of  the  gospel,  where  they  are  at  once 
made  welcome  and  comfortable.  In  company  with 
Bishop  Scott,  Rev.  John  Hough,  Rev.  Adam  Wallace, 
Rev.  Jeremiah  Pasterfield,  and  others,  after  the  close  of 
this  camp  meeting,  it  was  my  privilege  to  share  in  the 
hospitalities  of  his  house.  It  is  said,  "  The  Lord  hath 
blessed  the  house  of  Obededom,  and  all  that  pertaineth 
unto  him ;"  and  I  felt  this  house  will  likewise  be  favoured 
of  heaven. 

This  generous  gentleman  proposed  at  the  camp  meet- 
ing to  give  the  church,  of  which  I  was  pastor,  a  collec- 
tion. His  influence  did  much  in  opening  the  way.  The 
circumstances  were  duly  explained  at  the  proper  time, 
and  no  sooner  was  I  through  with  my  remarks  than  the 
Judge  stepped  forward  to  the  stand  and  made  a  liberal 
contribution ;  and  in  all  my  experience  I  never  saw  such 
enthusiasm  and  ardour  in  giving  as  came  under  my 
observation  on  this  occasion ;  and  while  the  people  gave 
their  money,  "not  grudgingly,  or  of  necessity,"  they 
realized  the  truth  of  that  word,  "  God  loveth  a  cheerful 
giver."  The  Lord  paid  them  again  by  giving  them  such 
a  blessing  as  there  was  scarcely  in  them  room  to  contain, 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  375 

Thank  God  there  is  vitality  in  the  Church. 

"  pressed  down  and  shaken  together  and  running  over." 
I  was  compelled  to  say,  "  Salvation  helongeth  unto  the 
Lord;  thj  blessing  is  upon  thy  people." 

I  found  the  Presiding  Elders  of  the  lower  Districts 
of  our  Conference,  Kev.  John  T.  Hazzard,  and  Rev. 
William  Mc Combs,  with  the  ministers  of  those  Districts, 
were  truly  in  the  spirit  of  their  work,  "  fervent  in  spirit, 
serving  the  Lord."  At  the  different  camp  meetings  I 
attended,  I  thought  an  ardour  and  zeal  characterized 
them  that  was  truly  commendable.  They  were  ready  to 
strike  blows  for  their  conquering  king  and  their  beloved 
Methodism  that  should  resound  through  the  wifderness, 
and  cause  every  tree  to  bud  and  blossom  as  the  rose. 
Thank  God  there  is  vitality  in  the  church,  the  days  of 
camp  meetings  are  not  numbered ;  let  me  now  make,  to 
those  who  are  inclined  to  bring  them  into  disrepute,  a 
statement.  I  saw  in  my  camp  meeting  tour  in  the 
summer  of  1855,  at  least  fifteen  hundred  persons  con- 
verted to  Gfod !  When  I  am  at  a  camp  meeting  my 
heart  beats  in  unison  with  that  of  the  poet — 

**  Hark !  through  the  grove 
I  hear  a  sound  divine  !     I'm  all  attention  ! 
All  ear,  all  ecstasy  !     Unknown  delight." 

Never  mind  the  objections  of  infidels  or  formalists,  or 
the  falsehoods  which  have  been  fabricated  and  published 
to  the  world  about  them.    We  must  admit,  it  is  true,  that 


376        THIRTEEN  years'  EXPERIENCE 

Dedication  of  Garrison's  Chapel,  Accomac  Co.,  Va. 

many  good  people,  and  Methodists  too,  have  objections, 
and  think  such  meetings  ought  to  be  abandoned.  "VVe 
must  diifer  with  them ;  facts  are  stubborn  things,  and 
conscientiously  I  say  to  all  my  readers,  "  To  your  tents, 
0  Israel."  Go  in  the  right  spirit,  and  signs  and  won- 
ders will  follow.  Fear  not,  timorous  ones.  "  And  I  will 
make  with  them  a  covenant  of  peace,  and  will  cause  the 
evil  beasts  to  cease  out  of  the  land ;  and  they  shall  dwell 
safely  in  the  wilderness,  and  sleep  in  the  woods." 

"Around  the  camp  the  power  divine 

Descends  upon  the  saints  below, 
Immortal  emanations  shine, 

And  streams  of  life  divinely  flow ; 
The  grateful  tear  which  wets  the  eye, 
Speaks  to  the  soul  that  God  is  nigh." 

In  the  month  of  September,  for  the  first  time  in  my 
life  I  visited  that  portion  of  the  Philadelphia  Conference 
which  lies  on  the  Eastern  Shore  of  Virginia,  in  company 
with  Rev.  John  D.  Onins,  and  took  part  in  the  labours 
of  the  dedication  of  Garrison's  Chapel.  The  new  church 
takes  the  place  of  one  of  the  same  name,  which  had 
been  used  for  worship  for  sixty-six  years.  I  trust  the 
glory  of  the  latter  house  may  be  greater  than  that  of 
the  former.  A  good  beginning  was  certainly  made. 
It  was  solemnly  dedicated  to  God  on  Saturday,  22d 
day  of  September,  by  my  associate  brother  Onins, 
who  lives  in  the  hearts  of  that  people.      The  church 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  377 

Conversion  of  a  little  girl. 

cost  between  two  and  three  thousand  dollars,  but  the 
whole  of  the  remaining  debt  was  provided  for  in  the 
forenoon  of  the  day  of  consecration.  God  in  a  gra- 
cious manner  poured  out  his  spirit,  and  on  Saturday- 
night,  a  sweet  little  girl,  the  daughter  of  one  of  the 
trustees,  who  had  given  liberally  of  his  means,  was 
powerfully  converted.  Perhaps  my  readers  will  ask  why 
lay  any  special  stress  upon  the  convei^sion  of  this  little 
girl  ?  It  would  seem  she  could  do  but  little.  But, 
reader,  don't  treat  with  inattention  such  a  case.  The 
heart  of  that  father  melted  ;  tears  bathed  his  cheeks  ;  her 
influence  was  felt  powerfully  in  that  newly  consecrated 
temple.  Let  me  introduce  an  anecdote.  "  Four  chil- 
dren, three  brothers  and  a  little  sister,  were  enjoying  a 
ramble  along  the  banks  of  a  river,  when  one  of  the  boys 
accidentally  fell  into  the  water;  just  as  he  was  sinking, 
another  brother  plunged  in  for  his  rescue,  and  when 
they  were  both  struggling  in  the  stream,  the  other 
brother  reached  out  his  hand  and  caught  the  second 
brother,  w^ho  was  about  to  sink  also ;  and  by  the  good 
providence  of  God,  both  found  bottom  and  crawled 
ashore.  When  they  arrived  at  home,  the  glad  father, 
who  had  learned  the  jeopardy  of  his  children,  called 
them  around  him,  and  inquired  of  one,  '  "VYell,  what  did 
you  do  to  save  your  drowning  brother  ?'  I  plunged  into 
the  water  after  him,  sir,'  was  the  reply.  '  And  what  did 
you  do  ?'  he  inquired  of  the  next.  'I  carried  him  home 
32* 


378  THlliTEEN    years'    EXPERIENCE 


I  fell  a  crying,  papa." 


upon  my  back,  sir.'  Turning  to  his  little  daughter,  he 
said,  'Well,  my  dear,  what  did  you  do  to  save  your 
drowning  brother  ?'  *  I  fell  a  crying,  papa,  as  hard  as 
I  was  able,  all  the  time.'"  There  is  eloquence  and 
power  in  tears.  Who  can  love  and  be  loved  like  a  sister  ? 
Is  it  not  likely  she  did  as  much  as  any  of  them  in  saving 
the  drowning  one  ?  Those  tears  prompted  her  little 
brothers  to  those  desperate  and  successful  efforts.  I 
maintain  converted  children  can  accomplish  much ; 
though  they  may  onljfaU  a  crying  as  hard  as  tliey  can, 
all  the  time.  My  little  Virginia  friend  did  this  work  in 
a  masterly  manner,  and  she  eried  to  the  new  altar  several 
of  much  riper  years.  I  was  sojourning  with  the  other 
ministers  at  her  father's  house.  It  was  late  on  Saturday 
night,  when  we  reached  home ;  the  influence  of  this 
child  was  felt  there,  both  amongst  white  and  coloured. 
A  glorious  revival  followed  in  the  new  church.  Let  me 
say  to  my  young  readers.  Seek  until  you  find  the  Lord, 
and  then  fall  a  crying  as  hard  as  you  are  able,  all  the 
time.     God  will  bless  you  and  make  you  a  blessing. 

On  the  Sabbath  the  Lord  poured  out  his  Spirit  and 
grace  upon  the  assembled  throng  in  a  copious  shower. 
The  altar  became  crowded  with  weeping  penitents,  and 
the  new  song  of  souls  pardoned  mingled  with  the  happy 
shouts  of  God's  people,  who  rejoiced  together  in  the 
manifestations  of  his  holy  presence  and  reviving  power. 
We  spent  the  whole  day,  the  people  having  brought  an 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  379 

The  kindness  to  coloured  people.  Rev.  Adam  Wallace. 

abundant  supply  of  refreshments.  Many  tables  were 
spread  in  the  wilderness.  This  meeting  in  many  respects 
Rooked  like  a  camp  meeting.  My  colleague  and  myself 
remained  till  Tuesday  with  this  loving  people ;  between 
lis  we  preached  seven  sermons.  They  fed  us  well,  and 
worTced  us  hard.  "  If  any  man  will  not  work,  neither 
shall  he  eat."  But  we  felt  so  much  of  the  presence  and 
power  of  God  that  labour  truly  was  rest.  The  kindness 
shown  the  coloured  part  of  the  community  I  found  to  be 
very  great.  The  trustees  set  apart  the  entire  gallery  of 
the  new  church  for  the  accommodation  of  this  class. 
Hundreds  upon  hundreds  were  there  of  the  sable  sons 
of  Africa ;  not  only  were  they  there  on  Sunday,  but  on 
week-days  many  were  in  attendance,  and  they  obtained 
their  portion  of  the  spiritual  manna,  as  it  fell  about  the 
camp.  They  were  so  happy  I  was  afraid  some  would  do 
as  I  once  knew  one  to  do,  viz.,  leap  over  the  breastwork 
of  the  gallery.  She  came  down  with  a  considerable 
crash ;  not  a  bone,  however,  was  broken,  and  no  sooner 
was  she  on  her  feet  than  she  resumed  the  work,  "  leap- 
ing and  praising  God."  This  was,  all  things  considered, 
to  me  one  of  the  most  delightful  dedication  services  I 
ever  attended.  Rev.  Adam  Wallace,  the  preacher  on 
the  Circuit,  deserves  much  credit  for  his  indomitable 
zeal  in  carrying  this  important  enterprise  to  so  successful 
an  issue.  He  is  deservedly  a  beloved  brother.  New 
churches  are  multiplying  all  through  the  Eastern  Shore 


380  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

Harmony  among  the  Methodists  in  Virginia. 

of  Virginia,  also  in  many  other  places  on  the  Peninsula. 
But  in  this  respect  all  over  our  Peninsula,  the  gar- 
den-spot of  our  Conference  territory,  we  ought  to  pray 
"  0  Lord,  revive  thy  work."  The  erection  of  a  new 
church,  and  a  good  church,  is  the  harbinger  of  spiritual 
prosperity.  I  was  happy  to  see  that  on  the  Eastern 
Shore  of  Virginia  peace  prevails,  and  ministers  and 
people  of  both  divisions  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  are  forgetting  all  sectional  differences,  in  the 
promotion  of  the  common  cause  of  one  who  is  our  Mas- 
ter, and  Head  over  all.  I  felt  compelled  to  say,  from 
what  I  saw,  "  For  lo !  the  winter  is  past,  the  rain  is 
over  and  gone ;  the  flowers  appear  on  the  earth ;  the 
time  of  the  singing  of  birds  is  come,  and  the  voice  of 
the  turtle  is  heard  in  our  land." 

While  away  from  home,  at  camp  meetings,  &c.,  I  did 
not  lose  sight  of  our  struggling  church,  and  my  pledge 
to  aid  our  trustees  to  meet  their  monthly  payments; 
which  they  were  enabled  to  do  promptly.  The  last 
instalment,  however,  was  raised  at  home.  The  14th  of 
October,  1855,  our  new  Hedding  Church  was  just  one 
year  old.  We  held  an  anniversary,  and  endeavoured  to 
improve  ''  each  shining  hour,"  as  my  readers  will  see.  We 
had  on  Saturday  night  an  introductory  service ;  Rev.  G.  C. 
M.  Roberts,  M.  D.,  D.D.,  of  Baltimore,  preached  a  ser- 
mon on  "•'  Holiness,"  which  was  listened  to  with  thrilling 
interest  by  the  congregation,  which  was  quite  large.  On 
Sunday  morning,  at  nine  o'clock,  this  good  man  held 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  381 

Meeting  in  Concert  Hall,  Phila. 

another  meeting  in  the  church,  on  the  subject  of  entire 
eonsecratwn  to  the  service  of  God.    Many  were  inclined 
to  "hunger  and  thirst  after  righteousness."  At  half-past 
ten  o'clock  in  the  morning,  Eev.  Henry  G.  King,  of  our 
Conference,  preached,  as  he  generally  does,  with  great 
acceptability  and  profit,  to  a  crowded  audience.  At  three 
o'clock  our  friend,  Dr.  Roberts,  delivered  one  of  the 
most  impressive  discourses  that  it  ever  was  my  privilege 
to  hear.     I  was  greatly  gratified  to  see  representatives 
from  the  various  churches ;  and  all  seemed  to  appreciate 
highly  the  lessons  of  instruction  which  fell  from  the  lips 
of  this  deeply  devoted  minister  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 
Having  had  service  morning  and  afternoon  in  the 
Hedding   Church,   at  night  we   repaired,  according  to 
previous  arrangement,  to  "  Concert  Hall,"  in  Chestnut 
Street,  and  closed  up  our  anniversary  exercises  in  the 
most  spacious  room  for  public  assemblies  in  the  city  of 
Philadelphia.     Many  regarded  this  part  of  our  plan  as 
being  very  much  out  of  order,  I  have  no  doubt,  and 
asked,  "  What  does  this  mean  ?"    "Is  not  the  man  beside 
himself?"     It  was  said,  "There  will  not  be  a  hundred 
people  there."     And  they  supposed  we  should  be  objects 
of  ridicule.     "Nevertheless,  we  made  our  prayer  unto 
our  God;"  and,  while  upon  our  knees,  we  felt  that  we 
heard  "  the  sound  of  a  going  in  the  tops  of  the  mulberry- 
trees."     The  victory  will  be  ours,  for  we  did  bestir  our- 
selves.    Our  motto  was  to  "  trust  in  Grod,  and  keep  our 


382  THIRTEEN   years'    EXPERIENCE 

Reasons  for  going  to  Concert  Hall. 

powder  dry.''  But  one  asks  the  question,  "  Why  did 
you  abandon  the  church  on  Sunday  night  ?"  Our  answer 
is :  1.  We  wanted  a  larger  place ;  we  were  impressed 
that  the  church  would  be  too  strait  to  contain  the 
people  who  would  come  "•  to  the  help  of  the  Lord  against 
the  mighty."  2.  We  wanted  to  give  an  impetus  to  the 
home  missionary  and  church  extension  work ;  and, 
believing  that  the  people  were  with  us,  and  that  Method- 
ism should  be  proclaimed  everywhere,  therefore  we  did 
not  fear  to  urge  our  church,  in  the  language  of  inspira- 
tion, *'Lift  ye  up  a  banner  upon  the  high  mountain." 
We  believed  the  effect  would  be  glorious  to  let  the 
Methodists,  and  warm-hearted  Christians  generally,  sing, 
even  in  fashionable  Chestnut  Street,  and  "  let  them  shout 
from  the  tops  of  the  mountains."  3.  Our  Church  had 
an  obligation  to  meet  the  following  Tuesday ;  we  knew 
that  we  had  done  in  the  forenoon  and  afternoon  about 
all  that  we  could  do  in  the  church ;  hence  we  saw,  on 
this  account,  the  reasonableness  of  going  to  another 
place  more  central,  where  we  could  have  a  larger  and 
somewhat  different  congregation.  Certainly,  it  should 
be  a  part  of  every  man's  and  every  Church's  religion  to 
pay  their  honest  debts.  "  Owe  no  man  anything,  but  to 
love  one  another." 

My  reader  will  ask,  "  What  was  the  result  of  the 
meeting  in  Concert  Hall?"  In  the  first  place,  I  would 
answer,  in  regard  to  the  attendance,  it  was  the  largest 


IN  THE  ITINERANCY.  383 

Let  the  "Songs  of  Zion"  be  sung. 

meeting  in  a  house  I  ever  beheld  among  the  Methodists 
or  any  other  denomination.  As  the  ministers  entered 
the  spacious  hall,  thej  found  it  reverberating  with  the 
sweet  songs  of  Zion.  Nations  have  national  airs,  by 
which  the  love  of  country  is  deepened.  The  popular  air 
of  "Hail  Columbia"  will  probably  create  an  American 
feeling  as  long  as  our  nation  exists ;  and  the  airs  "  God 
save  the  King"  and  "Rule  Britannia"  will  never  cease 
to  call  the  heart  of  the  Briton  to  his  own  glorious 
isle.  The  soldier  from  Switzerland,  and  from  the 
Highlands  of  Scotland,  will  weep  at  the  national  airs 
which  call  their  hearts  home  to  the  place  of  their  birth 
and  childhood.  In  like  manner  is  the  Christian  reminded, 
though  here  a  "  pilgrim  and  a  stranger,"  of  his  home  in 
Seaven,  while  he  listens  to  sacred  song,  such  as  fell  on 
our  ears  on  this  occasion : — 

"'Mid  scenes  of  confusion  and  creature  complaints, 
How  sweet  to  my  soul  is  communion  with  saints ! 
To  find  at  the  banquet  of  mercy  there's  room, 
And  feel  in  the  presence  of  Jesus  at  home. 

Home,  home,  sweet,  sweet  home  ! 

Prepare  me,  dear  Saviour,  for  glory,  my  home." 

The  American  traveller,  away  from  the  land  that 
gave  him  birth,  though  he  be  surrounded  by  crowned 
heads,  and  though  he  may  be  associated  with  those  who 
have  not  the  highest  respect  for  America,  and  American 
institutions,  or  for  the 


S84  THIRTEEN   YEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

The  efifect  of  Zion's  songs. 

"  Truest  hearts  that  ever  bled, 

Who  sleep  on  glory's  brightest  bed, 

A  fearless  host," 

4 

yet,  let  him  hear  the  "  Star  Spangled  Banner"  sung,  or 
the  name  of  the  immortal  Washington,  the  father  of  his 
country,  mentioned;  his  heart  leaps,  his  feelings  over- 
power him,  the  love  of  country  is  deepened,  and  a 
national  feeling  is  created  and  maintained.  And  wher- 
ever you  find  a  true  American,  he  will  contend  for 
liberty^  and  say,  in  substance,  "I  am  in  love ;  and  my 
sweetheart  is  liberty.  Be  that  heavenly  nymph  my 
companion."  He  exclaims,  without  regard  to  conse- 
quences, 

"  0  land  of  good  that  gave  me  birth, 

My  lovely  native  land ; 
Enroll'd  amidst  the  great  of  earth, 

Thy  name  shall  ever  stand." 

Shall  Americans  be  more  loyal  and  devoted  to 
their  country  and  Washington  than  Christians  are  to 
''  Canaan's  happy  shore"  and  to  the  name  of  Jesus,  who 
has  fought  our  battles  and  has  triumphed  over  death, 
and  ascended  to  God  "as  he  captive  captivity  led?" 
Whenever,  and  wherever,  the  "  fellow-citizens  with  the 
saints,"  hear  the  "Star  of  Bethlehem,"  "Round  the 
cross,"  "  Jerusalem,  my  happy  home,"  and  other 
Seavenly  airs,  almost  Divine,  they  will  shout  Hosannah 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  385 

The  addresses  in  Concert  Hall. 

to  the  Lamb  of  God,  ^'  if  there  were  as  many  devils  in 
the  way  as  there  are  tiles  upon  the  houses." 

,  James  B.  Longacre,  Esq.,  a  long- tried  and  faithful 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  was  called 
upon  to  preside  over  this  large  assemblage.  He  did  it 
with  much  dignity,  and  after  singing  and  prayer  by 
Rev.  Henry  G.  King,  he  introduced  the  speakers; 
appropriate  hymns  being  often  interspersed.  The 
addresses  were  of  a  home  missionai-y  character.  Rev. 
Dr.  Roberts  and  Rev.  Newton  Heston  were  deeply 
imbued  with  the  home  missionary  spirit.  No  audience 
could  have  been  more  deeply  interested.  The  collection 
was  good,  and  the  spirit  of  this  Methodist  meeting  com- 
mended itself  to  all  well-disposed  persons.  "  Our  hearts 
burned  within  us."  A  certain  female  said  to  the 
Saviour  on  one  occasion,  "  Our  fathers  worshipped  in 
this  mountain ;  and  ye  say,  that  in  Jerusalem  is  the 
place  where  men  ought  to  worship."  The  Saviour,  in 
reply,  taught  her  the  lesson  that  the  place  was  an  unim- 
portant matter.  And  if  any  fastidious  person  should 
raise  an  objection  to  holding  a  religious  meeting  in 
"  Concert  Hall,"  or  any  other  decent  and  convenient 
place,  I  would  remind  him  that  the  worshijD  of  God  is 
not  now,  under  the  gospel,  appropriated  to  any  place, 
as  it  was  under  the  law ;  but  it  is  God's  will  that  men 
pray  everyioJiere.     "  And  in  every  place  incense  shall  be 

offered  unto  my  name,"  saith  the  Lord.     The  Saviour, 
33 


S86  THIRTEEN   YEARS*    EXPERIENCE 

Respect  shown  to  the  speakers. 

thougli  he  made  light  of  the  place,  he  did  not  intend  to 
lessen  our  concern  about  the  thing  itself,  and  says, 
"  The  true  worshippers  shall  worship  the  Father  in 
spirit  and  in  truth."  Readers,  this  is  the  main  point. 
0  for  spirituality  everywhere,  in  all  our  worship,  and  at 
all  times ! 

The  three  brethren  in  the  ministry,  that  assisted  us 
throughout  the  day,  were  made,  in  an  impromptu  man- 
ner, "  life  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
in  Philadelphia."  Perhaps  my  reader  will  ask,  What 
meaneth  this  ?  And  what  are  the  privileges  of  this  life 
membership  ?  First,  These  brethren  were  to  feel  them- 
selves under  obligation  to  assist,  whenever  called  upon, 
if  in  their  power,  in  planting  churches  in  the  suburbs  of 
Philadelphia,  and  in  every  possible  way,  the  home 
missionary  work.  Secondly,  This  life  membership 
should  entitle  them  to  a  lithographic  copy  of  the 
"  Original  Plank  Church,  Philadelphia,"  neatly  framed 
in  gilt.  This  was  to  be  their  certificate.  It  required, 
according  to  our  plan,  one  liiindred  dollars  in  each  case ; 
which  amount,  of  course,  went  to  the  church ;  yet  this 
was  expressive  of  gratitude  to  the  brethren  who  so 
efficiently  served  us ;  and  the  several  propositions  were 
nobly  responded  to  and  duly  accomplished.  The  people, 
in  this  case,  fulfilled  the  direction  of  the  apostle  Peter, 
"Love  as  brethren;  be  courteous."  Why  should  we 
not  have  interest  infused  into  home  missions  as  well  as 


IN   THE    ITINERAXCY.  387 

Charity  should  begin  but  not  remain  at  home. 

foreign?     The  one  must  be  done,  and  the  other  must 
not  be  left  undone. 

I  strenuously  maintain  that  "charity  begins  at 
home."  Large  mass  meetings  ought  to  be  held  in  promi- 
nent places  ;  powerful  appeals  ought  to  be  made  in  behalf 
of  the  home  missionary  and  church  extension  work. 
We  are  far  from  supposing  that  all  the  good  done  in  the 
world  is  done  through  our  instrumentality ;  but  we  do 
believe,  that  as  a  people,  the  Methodists  are  specially 
charged  with  responsible  duties  in  reference  to  the  poor ; 
and  thousands  upon  thousands  are  found  in  the  suburbs 
of  our  large  cities,  and  elsewhere  in  our  bounds,  without 
the  gospel.  We  must  not  wait  for  them  to  come  to  us, 
but  go  in  pursuit  of  them ;  plant  churches  and  Sabbath 
Schools  in  their  midst,  and  tell  the  story  of  the  cross — 
*'  The  poor  have  the  gospel  preached  to  them."  But, 
reader,  our  charity  should  not  remain  at  home.  When 
the  pressing  wants  of  home  are  supplied,  let  us  go  forth 
like  Noah's  dove,  on  errands  of  mercy  to  the  heathen  in 
his  blindness,  and  tell  them  of  Jesus  and  his  dying  love. 
This  is,  w^e  think,  the  spirit  of  the  missionary  com- 
mission, and  such  was  the  practice  of  Christ  and  his 
apostles.  I  hope  and  believe  the  Methodist  Church 
will  do  her  part.  The  means  and  men  will  be  ready,  I 
trust,  for  every  emergency.  There  are  those  who  do 
not  count  their  lives  dear  unto  themselves  so  that  they 
might  finish  their  course  with  joy.    The  lamented  young 


388        THIRTEEN  years'  EXPERIENCE  ' 

Young  Stocker.  "  Cast  down,  but  not  destroyed." 

Stockcr  Tvas  on  the  eve  of  going  to  Africa;  he  was 
asked,  "  Do  you  not  know  that  the  climate  of  Africa  is 
considered  unfriendly  to  the  constitution  of  the  white 
man,  and  that  he  would  be  very  liable  to  disease  and 
death  in  that  country?"  He  answered  in  the  affirma- 
tive. He  was  then  asked,  under  the  circumstances.  Are 
you  willing  to  go  ?  And  his  answer  was,  "None  of  these 
things  move  me."  His  bones  rest  in  that  dark  land, 
near  those  of  Wright,  Barton,  and  Cox,  the  last  of  whom 
Baid,  when  dying,  "  Dont  give  up  Africa  if  a  thousand 
falir 

A  little  more  than  thirteen  years  have  rolled  round 
since  I  joined  the  Itinerancy  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  in  the  Philadelphia  Conference.  I  have  done 
what  I  could  in  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord.  I  have  not 
been  idle  or  unemployed,  and  although  I  have,  with  the 
rest  of  my  beloved  brethren  in  the  ministry,  had  some 
difficult  fields  of  labour,  yet,  brethren,  we  have  been 
enabled  to  say,  "  We  are  troubled  on  every  side,  yet  not 
distressed ;  we  are  perplexed,  but  not  in  despair ;  per 
secuted,  but  not  forsaken ;  cast  down,  but  not  destroyed." 
We  have  not,  in  the  work  of  the  ministry,  laboured 
altogether  in  vain  in  the  different  Circuits  and  Stations 
we  have  filled,  and  amongst  those  where  we  have  gone 
preaching — to  God's  name  be  all  the  glory  ! — we  have 
had  ocular  demonstration  that  the  word  hath  swiftly  run. 
And  to  many,  brethren  in  the  Itinerancy,  (and  this  is  the 


IN    THE    ITINERANCY.  889 

Let  slanderers  look  well  to  themselves. 

best  evidence  that  we  are  called  of  God  to  the  work)  we 
can  say  with  humility,  ^'Ye  are  our  epistle  written  in 
our  hearts,  known  and  read  of  all  men :  for  as  much  as 
ye  are  manifestly  declared  to  be  the  epistle  of  Christ 
ministered  by  us,  written  not  with  ink,-  but  with  the 
Spirit  of  the  living  God ;  not  in  tables  of  stone,  but  in 
fleshly  tables  of  the  heart." 

Methodist  Itinerants  are  still  with  some  an  object  of 
ridicule.  Representing  us,  they  will  say,  "  They  are 
well  conditioned,  jovial,  idle,  roving  fellows,  well 
mounted  and  living  on  the  fat  of  the  land,  imposing 
upon  the  ignorance  of  the  poor,  and  basking  in  the 
smiles  of  the  rich;  while  there  are  others  who  seem  to 
imagine  the  only  proper  idea  of  a  Methodist  preacher  is 
that  of  a  sallow-looking  little  man,  of  thin  visage  and 
thread-bare  coat,  mounted  on  a  living  skeleton  across 
empty  saddle-bpgs,  and  in  constant  jeopardy  of  per- 
ishing by  hunger."  Go  on  with  your  mischievous  mis- 
representations. You  are  trying  to  degrade  as  noble  and 
as  useful  a  band  of  ministers  as  the  world  ever  saw. 
Amuse  yourselves  and  the  parties  amongst  whom  you 
commingle,  but  recollect,  you  are  to  be  brought  into 
judgment  for  this  slander.  And  don't  lose  sight  of  the 
fact  that  vituperation  coming  from  such  a  source,  cannot 
stop  our  chariot  wheels,  or  quench  the  fire  of  love  that 
burns  in  our  souls  for  the  salvation  of  our  fellow  men. 

33* 


390         THIRTEEN  YEARS'  EXPERIEXCK 


Dou't  clog  the  wheels  of  the  Itinerancy. 

Thirteen  jcurs  experience  in  the  Itinerancy  leads 
me  to  say,  "  I  love  the  glorious  system  of  Ministerial 
Itinerancy,  established  by  Jesus  Christ,  and  owned  and 
honoured  of  God.  I  particularly  love  the  Methodist 
Itinerancy,  uniting  within  itself  an  endless  diversity  of 
gifts  and  usefulness,  combining  the  experience  of  age, 
the  vigour  of  manhood,  with  the  ardour  and  enterprise 
of  youth :  a  system  of  missionary  activity  which  directs 
its  vigorous  instrumentality  over  the  Rocky  Mountains, 
where  the  foot  of  neither  prophet  nor  apostle  has  ever 
trod  the  soil,  down  through  the  swamps  and  canebrakes 
of  the  South,  into  every  corner  of  this  extensive  and 
extending  republic ;  planting  its  foot  on  the  islands  of 
the  sea,  and  traversing  the  mighty  continents  of  the 
earth."  God  being  my  helper,  I  will  never  clog  its 
wheels,  either  by  theory  or  practice.  I  will,  so  far  as 
health  and  strength  will  allow,  as  a  son  in  the  gospel, 
go  forth,  "bearing  precious  seed,"  and  try  to  preach 
Christ  and  him  crucified,  exclaiming — 

*'  His  only  righteousness  I  show, — 
His  saving  truth  proclaim  ; 
'Tis  all  my  business  here  below 
To  cry,  '  Behold  the  Lamb  !'  " 

And  when  I  get  sick  for  the  last  time,  and  friends 
and  Itinerant  brethren  may  around  my  bed  their  watch- 
ful vigils  keep,  and  with  affection  wipe  the  cold  sweat  of 
death  from  my  face,  and  hold  the  cordial  to  my  quiver- 


IN    THE    ITINERANCY.  891 


Mr.  Wesley  an  eminent  Itinerant. 

ing  lips  for  the  last  time,  I  hope  in  death  to  be  able, 
like  the  swan,  to  sing  my  sweetest  song — 

"Happy,  if  -with  my  latest  breath, 
I  may  but  gasp  his  name  ; 
Preach  Him  to  all,  and  cry  in  death, 
Behold  !    Behold  the  Lamb  !" 

Rev.  John  Wesley,  the  founder  of  Methodism,  was 
practically  an  eminent  Itinerant,  He  travelled  about 
four  thousand  five  hundred  miles  every  year.  He  often, 
in  this  Christ-like  work,  encountered  pain  and  neglect ; 
to  which,  however,  he  ever  retained  a  cheerful  insensi- 
bility. I  will  give  one  case.  "As  he  was  travelling 
with  John  Nelson,  one  of  his  preachers,  from  common  to 
common  in  Cornwall,  and  preaching  to  a  people  who 
heard  him  willingly,  but  seldom,  or  never,  offered  him 
the  sli^'^htest  hospitality,  he  one  day  stopped  his  horse  at 
some  brambles,  to  pick  the  fruit.  'Brother  Nelson,' 
said  he,  "  we  ought  to  be  thankful  that  there  are  plenty  of 
blackberries ;  for  this  is  the  best  country  I  ever  saw  for 
getting  a  stomach,  but  the  worst  I  ever  knew  for  getting 
food.  Do  the  people  think  we  can  live  upon  preach- 
ing?' *  At  that  time,'  says  his  companion,  'Mr.  Wesley 
and  I  slept  on  the  floor ;  he  had  a  great  coat  for  his 
pillow,  and  I  had  Burkett's  Notes  on  the  New  Testament 
for  mine.  One  morning,  about  three  o'clock,  Mr. 
Wesley  turned  over,  and,  finding  me  awake,  clapped  me 
on  the  side,  saying,  '  Brother  Nelson,  let  us  be  of  good 


392  THIRTEEN    years'    EXPERIENCE 

Tho  Methodists  die  well. 

cheer ;  I  Lave  one  whole  side  yet ;  for  the  skin  is  oflf  but 
on  one  side.'  "  This  great  and  good  man,  after  suffering 
hardships  and  reproach  in  the  work  of  the  ministry  for 
eixty-five  years,  finished  his  course  with  joy  and  great 
triumph.  Having  been  laid  on  the  bed  from  whence  he 
arose  no  more,  he  called  upon  those  who  were  with  him 
to  "pray  and  praise."  Soon  after,  he  again  called  upon 
them  to  "pray  and  praise."  Taking  each  by  the  hand 
and  affectionately  saluting  them,  he  bade  them  farewell. 
Attempting  afterwards  to  say  something  which  could  not 
be  understood,  he  paused  a  little,  and  then,  with  all  the 
remaining  strength  he  had,  he  said,  "  The  best  of  all  is, 
God  is  with  us."  And  again  lifting  his  hand,  he 
repeated  the  same  words  in  holy  triumph,  "  The  best  of 
all  is,  God  is  with  us." 

This  new  religion,  as  Methodism  was  called,  has 
always  given  its  subjects  wonderful  victory  over  death. 
Speaking  of  a  Sister  Hooper,  says  Mr.  Wesley,  "I  asked 
her  whether  she  was  not  in  great  pain?  *Yes,'  she 
answered;  *but  in  greater  joy.  I  would  not  be  without 
either.'  ^But,  do  you  not  prefer  either  life  or  death?' 
She  replied,  *  All  is  alike  to  me ;  let  Christ  choose ;  I 
have  no  will  of  my  own.'  I  spoke  with  her  physician, 
who  said  he  had  little  hope  of  her  recovery;  '  only,'  he 
added,  ^  she  has  no  dread  upon  her  spirits,  which  is  gene-* 
rally  the  worst  symptom.  Most  people  die  for  fear  of 
dying ;  but  /  7iever  met  with  such  2^eoph  as  yours.    They 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  393 

"Now  sing  me  home  to  Heaven." 

are  none  of  them  afraid  of  death ;  but  calm,  and  patient, 
and  resigned  to  the  last.'  "  During  my  thirteen  years' 
experience  in  the  itinerancy,  I  have  seen  the  proposition, 
that  the  3Iethodists  die  tvell,  gloriously  exemplified.  I 
will  give  some  examples.  Stormy,  indeed,  had  been 
their  passage  over  the  river  of  death ;  but  was  it  not 
safe  ?  was  it  not  triumphant  ? 

In  my  first  year  in  the  Itinerancy,  the  work  of  reli- 
gion broke  out  in  a  prominent  family.  A  little  daughter 
was  first  converted ;  then  the  mother ;  the  father  soon 
followed,  and  they  altogether  told  to  sinners  around  "  what 
a  dear  Saviour  they  had  found."  During  the  past  sum- 
mer, the  head  of  that  family  came  to  P to  die 

with  his  daughter,  who  contributed  much  in  leading  him 
first  to  the  Saviour.  I  saw  him  on  his  death-bed,  calm 
as  a  summer  evening,  not  a  cloud  to  obscure  his  spiritual 
sky.  And,  when  about  to  bid  adieu  to  earth  and  earthly 
things,  he  said,  "iVbzy  sing  me  home  to  Heaven,''  Yes, 
the  language  of  the  Christian  is, 

<'  0  !  sing  to  me  of  Heaven, 
When  I  am  call'd  to  die ; 
^  Sing  songs  of  holy  ecstasy, 

To  waft  my  soul  on  high ! 

"Then,  'round  my  senseless  clay. 
Assemble  those  I  love. 
And  sing  of  Heaven,  delightful  Heaven, 
My  glorious  home  above !" 


B94  THIRTEEN    TEARS'    EXPERIENCE 

"  Thorc  is  light  in  the  valley."  Mrs.  Hannah  Louisa  Flinn. 

A  good  brother  in  one  of  my  fields  of  labour,  long 
a  Methodist,  on  his  dying  pillow,  surrounded  by  his 
children  and  weeping  companion,  said  to  his  wife, 
"  There  is  light  in  the  valley^  Mary  !  There  is  light  in 
the  valley,  3fary!  !"  Jesus  does  not  send  for  us  simply, 
but  he  will  come  for  us,  and  return  with  us  :  "  Though  I 
walk  through  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death,"  like 
the  one  referred  to,  we  shall  be  able  to  say,  I  trust, 
"  There  is  light  in  the  valley,"  because  the  Sun  of  Right- 
ousness  is  shining  upon  us  and  walking  through  the 
valley  with  us,  and  we  must  have  comfort. 

Not  long  since  an  esteemed  young  Christian  friend, 
who  had  much  to  live  for,  fell  asleep  in  Jesus.  I  allude  to 
Mrs.  Hannah  Louisa  Flinn,  wife  of  Mr.  Anthony  B.  Flinn, 
and  daughter  of  Rev.  Anthony  Atwood.  That  religion 
which  she  obtained  in  early  youth  at  a  protracted  meet- 
ing in  Asbury  Church, •Wilmington,  Delaware,  and  which 
shone  with  lustre  in  the  Sunday  School,  the  class  room, 
the  circles  in  which  she  moved,  and  in  her  own  home, 
irradiated  the  chamber  where  she  met  her  fate.  A  few 
weeks  before  her  death  the  Lord  favoured  her  with  a 
fullness  of  joy.  She  thought  she  was  stepping  into  the 
stream  of  Jordan.  She  called  her  husband,  father, 
mother,  sister,  and  brothers,  gave  them  her  last,  as  she 
supposed,  afi"ectionate  kiss,  and  bade  them  farewell. 
Seeing  her  friends  bathed  in  tears,  she  said,  "Don't 
weep  J  my  sufferings  will  soon  be  ended,  and  I  shall  be 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  895 

Triumphant  death  of  Mrs.  M. 

at  rest."  A  few  days  after  she  was  asked  by  her  father, 
"Are  you  willing  to  depart  and  be  with  Christ?"  She 
replied,  "All  ready,  except  a  desire  to  see  my  dear 
husband  once  more."    She  requested  her  friends  to  sing, 

**  Jesus,  lover  of  my  soul, 
Let  me  to  thy  bosom  fly." 

One  of  her  friends  remarked  to  her  just  before  she 
closed  her  eyes  on  all  terrestrial  things,  "  You  are  now 
in  the  cold  waters  of  Jordan."  "Yes,  but  I  am  in 
perfect  peace."  So  peaceful  was  her  death,  that  it 
could  scarcely  be  distinguished  from  the  approach  of  a 
healthy  slumber. 

Early  in  my  Itinerant  life  I  formed  the  acquaintance 
of  Mrs.  M ,  the  wife  of  one  of  our  Itinerant  minis- 
ters. She  was  converted  when  but  twelve  years  of  age, 
and  emphatically  went  "  on  to  perfection."  Liberally 
educated,  and  deeply  devoted  to  God,  she  was  an  help- 
mate indeed.  When  informed  that  she  must  die,  she 
said,  "For  my  husband  and  children's  sake  I  would 
prefer  living,  but  I  am  fully  resigned  to  the  Divine 
will."  She  conversed  freely  about  death  and  eternity, 
gave  directions  concerning  her  funeral  and  little  ones, 
and  about  an  hour  before  her  death  she  repeated  many 
sweet  passages  of  Scripture  and  verses  of  hymns,  and 
requested  those  about  her  to  sing, 

"  On  Jordan's  stormy  banks  I  stand, 
And  cast  a  vrishful  eye." 


396  TIIIIITEEN   years'    EXPERIENCE 

"Absent  from  the  body,  present  with  the  Lord." 

She  then  cried  out  in  holy  triumph,  "  0  death,  where  is 
thy  sting?  0  grave,  where  is  thy  victory?"  Lifting  her 
eyes  and  hands  to  heaven,  she  said,  "  Come,  Lord  Jesus, 
and  receive  my  spirit."  She  exclaimed,  with  almost  the 
eloquence  of  a  seraph, 

"Hark,  they  wliisper !  angels  say, 
Sister  spirit,  come  away," 

Then  she  said,  "  I  come,  I  come,  I  come ;  glory,  glory, 
glory."  These  were  her  last  words.  She  waved  a 
peaceful  and  final  farewell  to  all  sublunary  things,  and 
the  happy  spirit  returned  "to  God  who  gave  it."  0, 
how  rapid  then  is  our  homeward  flight !  "  Scarcely  shall 
we  have  lost  sight  of  these  mundane  shores,  till  we  shall 
behold  the  glory  of  the  heavenly  city.  Scarcely  shall 
we  have  ceased  to  hear  the  groans  and  conflicts  of 
earth,  till  our  souls  will  be  fired  with  the  shouts  of 
angels,  and  the  songs  of  the  redeemed  in  heaven. 
Scarcely  shall  we  have  finished  taking  leave  of  our 
friends  on  earth,  till  we  shall  be  greeted  by  our  friends 
in  heaven,  and  made  welcome  to  the  everlasting  habita- 
tions which  Jesus  has  prepared  for  us ;  that  where  he  is 
there  we  may  be  also,  to  behold  his  glory." 

In  this  work  I  have  referred  to  several  ministers  and 
members  of  our  church  with  whom  I  have  been  acquainted, 
who  have  "  conquered  death."  "  And  what  shall  I  more 
say?"     For  the  time  would  fail  me  to  tell  of  the  scores 


IN   THE   ITINERANCY.  S97 

Don't  forget  the  fact  that  Methodists  die  well. 

which  I  have  myself  seen  triumphing,  finding  "  their  latest 
foe  under  their  feet  at  last."  To  this  fact  I  desire  to  call 
the  attention  of  those  who  would  ridicule  and  make  light 
of  Methodism.  Don't  forget  that  the  people  called 
Methodists  generally  die  ivell!  And  while  for  the  last, 
century  the  Methodists  have  done  good  "  in  every  pos- 
sible way/'  let  me  ask,  especially,  Is  there  another  orga- 
nization on  the  face  of  the  earth  that  has  been  instru- 
mental in  enabling  so  many  thousands,  ay,  tens  of 
thousands,  to  sing,  when  mortality  is  about  being 
"swallowed  up  of  life," 

•'  Jesus  can  make  a  dying  bed 

Feel  soft  as  downy  pillows  are, 
While  on  his  breast  I'll  lean  my  head, 
And  breathe  my  life  out  sweetly  there." 

This  to  me  is  an  irresistible  argument  in  favour  of  the 
divinity  and  excellence  of  our  religion,  an  argument 
that  neither  the  Infidel  nor  the  devil  himself  can  resist. 
"  Let  me  die  the  death  of  the  righteous,  and  let  my  last 
end  be  like  his." 

I  owe  my  all  to  Methodism,  but  far  be  it  from  me  to 
quarrel  with  any  one  else  because  of  difi*erent  views  on 
the  circumstantials  of  religion.  But  I  must  never  lose 
sight  of  the  passage,  "  Look  unto  the  rock  whence  ye 
are  hewn,  and  to  the  hole  of  the  pit  whence  ye  are 
digged."  Looking  at  this  form  of  Christianity  in  all 
34 


398        THIRTEEN  YEARS'  EXPERIENCE 

Wo  won't  give  up  the  distinguishing  features  of  Methodism. 

its  bearings,  (with  which  I  have  been  connected  since  my 
fourteenth  year,)  I  am  compelled  to  say,  "  hy  the  grace 
of  God  I  am  a  3Iethodist."  Have  we  not,  as  a  people, 
had  the  most  convincing  evidence  in  the  salvation  of 
sinners,  that  it  is  of  God  ?  *^  Methodism  has  compassed 
both  Indies,  reached  the  four  continents,  visited  the 
islands  of  the  sea,  and  overrun  the  whole  civilized  sur- 
face of  North  America."  It  is  destined  to  live  and 
accomplish  "many  wonderful  works."  We  won't  give 
up  the  distinguishing  features  of  Methodism.  We 
endorse  it  heartily  as  a  whole,  especially  its  class  meet- 
ings, and  its  Itinerancy,  and  in  this  work  we  will  go 
forth  at  all  seasons,  and  in  all  weathers,  under  all  cir- 
cumstances, for  the  love  of  Christ  and  a  perishing  world 
constraineth  us;  and  we  will  "  take  joyfully  the  spoiling 
of  our  goods,  knowing  in  ourselves  that  we  have  in 
heaven  a  better  and  an  enduring  substance."  And  we 
will  proclaim  in  burning  words  a  free  salvation  to  a  lost 
world.  And  to  all  the  enemies  of  Methodism,  and  of 
her  ministers,  I  would  say,  you  had  better  "refrain 
from  these  men  and  let  them  alone ;  for  if  this  counsel 
or  this  work  be  of  men,  it  will  come  to  nought :  but  if  it 
be  of  God,  ye  cannot  overtlii'ow  it,  lest  haply  ye  be 
found  to  fight  against  God." 

THE  END. 


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amounting  to  feveral   thoufand  Volumes,  felected  with 

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H.  &  P.  ARE  AUTHORIZED  AGENTS 

For    the    Methodift    Quarterly    Review,    National    Magazine, 

Ladies'  Repofitory,  Chriftian  Advocate  and  Journal, 

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1 


VALUABLE  WORKS 


RECENTLY     ISSUED. 


A  Voice  from  the  Pious  Dead  of  the 
Medical  Profeffion; 

Or,  Memoirs  of  Eminent  Physicians  wlio  have  fallen  asleep  in  Jesus;  with 
a  Preliminary  Dissertation  on  the  Cross  as  the  Key  to  all  Knowledge. 
By  Henry  J.  Brown,  A.  M.,  M.  D.    Price,  90  cts. 


NOTICES. 


From  Thomas  E.  Bond,  M.  D.,  Editor 
Christian  Advocate  <£■  Journal,  New  York. 
*  *  *  *  *  We  hail  with  joy  the  work  be- 
fore us.  The  author  has  done  good  ser- 
vice by  showing  examples  of  Christian 
belief  and  practice  among  the  most  emi- 
nent of  the  faculty,  both  in  Europe  and 
America.  "We  especially  recommend  this 
•work  to  our  brethren  of  the  Medical  Pro- 
fession. They  will  find,  especially  in  the 
dissertations  which  precede  the  Memoirs, 
a  fair  exhibition  of  the  peculiar  difficulties 
•which  the  study  and  practice  of  medicine 
and  surgery  present  to  the  theory  of 
Christianity ;  and  are  able  and  satisfactory 
solutions  of  these  diflftculties. 

Frmi  G.  C.  M.  Eoberis,  M.D.,  Baltimore.— 
After  ha-viug  carefully  rea/J  the  book,  and 
re-read  j^oiiions  of  it,  with  increased  inte- 
rest, I  take  great  pleasure  in  retiu-ning 
you  my  sincere  thanks  for  affording  me 
the  opportunity,  through  you,  of  com- 
mending it  most  earnestly  to  the  commu- 
nity at  large,  and  to  the  members  of  the 
Medical  Profession  in  particular.  At  this 
particular  juncture,  when  strenuous 
efforts  are  in  progress  for  the  purpose  of 
eleyating  the  standard  of  medical  educa- 
tion throughout  the  land,  this  excellent 
Memoir  of  some  among  the  most  distin- 
guished physicians,  who  have  died  in 
Christ,  appears  most  opportunely.  I  trust 
you  will  be  successful  in  placing  a  copy  of 
it  in  the  librarj  of  every  melical  man  in 
our  country ;  where  it  will  not  only  prove 
the  means  of  s^iiritual  benefit  to  pre- 
ceptors, but  likewise  to  those  who  may  be 
tHider  then-  supervision. 

From,  tlte,  Boston  Medical  t£-  Surgical 
Journal. — This  volume  is  written  with  a 
view  "to  refute  a  charge  of  incompati- 
bility between  the  Christum  religion  and 
ecience,  sometimes  made  by  wicked  and 


ignorant  persons."  It  contains  three  short 
Dissertations  on  the  subjects  of  The  Cross 
in  the  Life-Union,  The  Cross  in  Nature, 
and  The  Cross  in  Medicine;  which  are  fol- 
lowed by  Memoirs  of  Wm.  Hey,  Dr.  Hope, 
Dr.  Good,  Dr.  Bateman,  Dr.  Godman,  Dr. 
Gordon,  Dr.  Broughton,  and  Dr.  Capadose. 
The  Dissertations  are  intended  "  as  an  in- 
centive to  inquiry  suggestive  of  a  form." 
The  Memoirs  are  interesting;  and  fully 
prove,  what  hardly  requires  proof,  that 
there  is  nothing  in  science  which  tends  to 
lessen  men's  faith  in  the  Divine  doctrines 
of  the  Christian  Revelation,  or  deter  them 
from  fulfilling  all  its  obligations.  Dr. 
Brown's  book  will  doubtless  be  read  with 
interest  by  many  who  are  not  members  of 
the  profession,  as  well  as  by  physicians. 

From  the  Christian  Observer,  Philadel- 
phia.— It  affords  us  pleasure  to  call  atten- 
tion to  this  interesting  volume.  It  con- 
tains an  i  Qipressive  argument  for  the  truth 
and  excellence  of  the  Gospel,  drawn  from 
the  lives  of  scientific  men.  It  shows  that 
faith  in  the  teaching  of  the  Scriptures  is 
not  merely  a  persuasion,  but  a  power, 
stronger  than  the  innate  passions  of  our 
nature — a  Divine  power  manifested  in  the 
(development  of  all  that  is  pure  and  lovely 
and  of  good  report  in  real  'iife.  The 
memorials  of  these  excellent  men  sho-w 
conclusively,  that  science  and  religion  are 
not,  as  a  few  sciolists  have  imagined,  in- 
compatible with  each  other.  The  Preli- 
minary Dissertation  is  rich  in  thought, 
sviggestive,  adapted  to  awaken  inquu-y  on 
the  most  important  subject. 

From  the  Western  Christian  Advocate, 
Cincinnati. — Xo  book  of  a  similar  charac- 
ter is  before  the  American  public,  and  we 
trust  it  will  find  a  good  sale,  not  among 
physicians  merely,  but  among  all  lovers 
of  healthy,  religious  biography. 

2 


HIGGINS  &  PERKINPINE'S  PUBLICATIONS. 


From  flie  Pittsburg  Christian  AdvoociU. 
—The  narrative  of  the  closing  scenes  in  the 
life  of  Dr.  Gordon,  of  Hull,  is  of  itself 
worth  double  the  price  of  the  book.  Medi- 
cal men,  whose  time  is  necessarily  en- 
grossed with  professional  engagements, 
will  appreciate  the  aim  of  the  author  in 
collecting  and  condensing  more  extended 
memoirs  of  their  worthy  brothers  in  simi- 
lar toils ;  and  when  they  would  not  take 
up  a  long  and  laboured  production,  they 
can  find  in  this  volume  that  which  will 
refresh  and  strengthen  in  the  midst  of 
their  unceasing  labours.  Ministers  and 
others,  who  sometimes  wish  to  testify  their 
high  appreciation  of  the  faithful  services  of 
the  physician,  will  recognise  in  this  volume 
a  testimonial  which  cannot  but  be  regarded 
as  beautiful,  appropriate,  and  valuable. 

From  tlie  Christian  Chronicle,  Philadel- 
phia.— The  ol^'ect  of  these  pages  is  to  show 
that  there  is  a  harmony  between  religion 
and  science.  It  is  decidedly  a  religiovis 
book,  abounding  with  the  most  useful 
lessons  from  the  highest  authority.  The 
Dissertation  that  precedes  is  a  valuable 
production,  much  enhancing  the  value  of 
the  work. 


From  the  National  Itlagazim,  New  York 
and  Cincinnati. — We  commend  the  vo- 
lume to  the  general  reader  ;  while,  in  the 
language  of  the  preface,  "  To  medical  men 
of  every  class,  these  Memoirs  come  with 
singular  force,  involving,  as  they  do,  the 
modes  of  thought,  the  associations,  and 
the  difficulties  common  to  the  medical 
profession.  Their  testimony  is  as  the 
united  voice  of  brethren  of  the  same  toils, 
proclaiming  a  heavenly  rest  to  the  weary 
pilgrim.  It  comes,  too,  unembarrassetJ 
with  any  considerations  of  interest,  or 
mere  purpose  of  sect  or  calling." 

From  Rev.  J.  F.  Berg,  D.  i*.— The  selecv 
tion  of  a  number  of  Memoirs  of  Physi- 
cians eminent  for  their  piety,  who  have 
adorned  their  profession  in  our  own  coun- 
try and  in  other  lands,  as  examples  of  the 
living  power  of  piety,  is  itself  a  happy 
thought ;  and  the  primary  Dissertation  on 
the  Cross  as  the  Key  to  all  Knowledge 
will  suggest  valuable  reflections  to  the 
mind  of  the  thoughtful  reader.  It  is  an 
able  presentation  of  the  great  theme  of 
the  Cross  of  Christ  as  the  foundation  of 
all  genuine  science. 


The  Bible  Defended  againft  the  Ob- 
jediions  of  Infidelity. 

Being  an  Examination  of  the  Scientific,  Historical,  Chronological,  and 
other  Scripture  Difficulties.    By  Eev.  Wm.  H.  Brisbane.     Price,  50  cts. 


NOTICES 


From  the  Western  Christian  Advocate. — 
The  work  is  on  a  plan  somewhat  original, 
and  meets  a  want  long  felt  by  Sabbath 
School  Teachers  and  Scholars,  private 
Christians  and  others.  We  can  most 
heartily  commend  the  little  manual  to  all 
seeking  the  truth  as  it  is  in  the  Gospel  of 
Christ. 

From  the  Christian  Advocate  d-  Journal. 
—The  author,  in  the  body  of  his  work, 
commencing  with  the  account  of  the  Cre- 
ation, as  given  in  the  book  of  Genesis, 
goes  through  the  principal,  i^cts  recorded 
in  the  Old  and  New  <Testc.mecit«,  stHting 
and  answering  the  objections  ,6f  infidelity 
cogently  and  logically,  bringing  to  his' aid 
the  result  of  extensive  reading  M.r,d  prtiint- 
investigation.  It  is  'a,  't^klj  li,ooJ^,-xSO 
small  that  none  will  ba  c'et3rrocj  fram 
reading  it  by  its  size':  yet  it  iJoiidei/ses  iMe" 
most  general  objections  t,o  the  Bible,  -^'.th 
a  clear  statement  of  t'le  re^u'lat/ou  o_!f 
them,  by  the  best  autho.s  whv)  lia\ti  vyidt- 
ten  on  the  subject.  ,!  .  .       „        •      » 

34* 


From  the  National  Magazine. — A  small 
but  good  review  of  the  chief  infidel  objec- 
tions to  the  Bible  has  been  published  by 
Higgins  &  Perkinpine.  It  is  by  Kev.  W. 
H.  Brisbane,  and  examines  the  scientific, 
historical,  chronological,  and  other  diffi- 
culties alleged  against  the  Scriptures.  It 
is  especially  adapted  to  meet  the  wants  of 
Sunday  School  and  Bible  Class  Teachers. 

From  the  Fasten  Star. — The  title  page 
indicates  the  character  of  this  little  vo- 
lume^ which  has  evidently  been  prepared 
wii^h  graar  cajfi,  by  one  who  appears  to 
h,a7e«t'A«ro»ug4]l/  investigated  the  subject, 
ami  v^'lj'yse.r'^searches  well  qualify  him  to 
elucidate  the  difficult  questions  reviewed. 
Tli,e^t/Je'Lv  cL-a.vte.  .perspicuous,  and  com- 
5)r«he-jsiv'c,  Knd  ^te  volume  replete  with 
orlgina^.  iiioaghts  and  pertinent  quota- 
tio^is  from  the  first  biblical  and  scientific 
a',itbor?„  to  srpport  the  Divine  authority 
3f  the  Smptures  and  refute  the  objection 
'of  sceptics.  The  book  contains  in  a  nut- 
ehell  mcst  of  the  points  of  diUerence  b» 


HIGGINS  &  PERKINPINE'S  PUBLICATIONS. 


tween  infidels  and  Christians,  and  should  sulgccts  to  which  they  relate.    "We  take 

be  read  by  all  who  experience  any  difil-  pleasure  in  coiumendin.!?  it  to  those  read- 

culty  in  reconciling  those  texts  of  Scrip-  ers  who  have  not  the  time  to  invcKtij^ate 

ture   that  are  in  apparent  conflict,  but  heavier  works,  as  a  book  that  will  amply 

which  accord  in  beautiful  harmony  when  repay  a  careful  perusal, 
explained  by  their  contexts,  and  other 


Leftures  on  the  Doftrine  of  Eledion. 

By  tho  Rev.  A.  0.  Rutherford,  of  Greenock,  Scotland. 
Price,  50  cts. 


NOTICES. 


From  the  National  Magazine.— These 
Lectures  are  remarkable  for  logical  acute- 
ness  and  sagacity,  and  a  comprehensive 
knowledge  of  the  subject.  There  is  a 
strong  spice  of  Scottish  acerbity,  too,  in 
their  style.  Arminian  polemics  will  re- 
ceive this  volume  as  among  the  ablest 
vindication  of  their  views  produced  in 
modern  times. 

From  Rev.  Bishop  Scott. — I  have  care- 
fully read  through  your  late  publication, 
entitled  "  Lectures  on  the  Doctrine  of 
Election,  by  Alexander  C.  Rutherford,  of 
Scotland,"  which  you  were  kind  enough 
to  put  into  my  hands.  I  am  very  much 
pleased  with  it.  It  is  an  admirable  book. 
It  refutes  the  Calvinistic  theories  on  this 
subject  with,  I  must  think,  unanswerable 
force  of  argument,  and  imfolds  and  exhi- 
bits the  true  Bible  theory  with  clearness 
and  power.  And,  unlike  many  controver- 
sial works,  it  is  a  very  readable  book. 
The  author's  style  is  so  clear,  so  natural, 
60  easy  and  flowing,  and  withal  so  ani- 
mated and  forcible,  and  his  manner  and 
illustrations  so  interesting  and  striking, 
that  one  is  led  on  from  page  to  page,  and 
from  chapter  to  chapter,  not  only  without 
weariness,  but  with  increasing  interest. 
The  spirit  of  the  book,  too,  I  think,  is 
excellent,  independent,  frank,  candid, 
affectionate,  exhibiting  a  profound  regard 
for  the  unadulterated  teachings  of  the 
Bible,  and  a  yearning  love  for  souls.  The 
author,  indeed,    sometimes    uses   harsh 


words,  but  almost  only  of  theories  and 
systems  and  dogmas — seldom,  indeed,  of 
per.sons.  lie  treats  his  opponents  with 
Christian  courtesy,  occasionally  only  re- 
buking them  sharply,  while  he  deals  with 
a  fearless  and  unsparing  hand  with  their 
false  and  soul-destroying  errors.  This 
hook  ought  to  be  sown  broadcast  over  the 
land.  I  could  wish  that  a  copy  of  it 
should  go  into  every  family;  especially  at 
this  time,  when  there  seems  a  disposition 
in  certain  quarters  to  force  on  us  again 
this  wretched  Calvinistic  controversy. 

From  Zion's  Herald. — The  author  of 
this  work  is  a  Scotch  clergyman,  who  was 
formerly  a  Calvinist,  but  who,  by  honestly 
seeking  the  truth  as  revealed  in  God's 
Word,  was  led  to  embrace  the  more  Scrip- 
tural tenets  of  the  Arminian  school.  Hav- 
ing first  spread  his  views  before  the  reli- 
gious public  at  Greenock  and  Glasgow,  in 
a  series  of  lectures  delivered  in  1847,  he 
afterwards  gave  them  to  the  world  in  form 
of  a  book,  which  is  now,  for  the  first  time, 
reprinted  in  America.  Bating  some  few 
inferior  points  of  doctrine,  we  think  the 
work  to  be  a  sound,  strong,  and  vigorous 
expose  of  the  Calvinistic  theory.  It  is 
finely  adapted  for  popular  circulation ; 
could  it  be  scattered  broadcast,  it  would 
doubtless  aid  in  extirpating  the  stubborn 
errors  of  that  theory  from  such  portions 
of  the  community  as  are  stUl  afflicted  by 
its  presence. 


The  Sulidayrgcliool:  Speaker; 

Or,  Exercises  for  Anniversaries  and  Ofale'oratlonfa  r-ftovisisang  of  Addresses, 
Dialogues,  Recitation^,  Bible  Class  Ltssons,'  Hymns,  &c.  Adapted  to 
the  various  subjects  to  Tyliifli.  Sabbath  p^liool  Efforts  are  directed.  By 
Rev.  John  Kennauay,  D.  D.     Priced  38  cts';  '  '     *" 


HIGGINS  &  PERKINPINE'S  PUBLICATIONS. 


The  Minftrel  of  Zion. 

A  Book  of  Religious  Songs,  accompanied  with  Appropriate  Music,  Chiefly 
Original.  By  Kev.  William  Uunter  and  Kev.  Samuel  Wakefield. 
Price,  38  cts. 


Seled:  Melodies, 


Comprising  the  Best  Hymns  and  Spiritual  Songs  in  common  use,  and  not 
generally  found  in  standard  Church  Hymn  Books;  as  also  a  number 
of  Original  Pieces,  and  Translations  from  the  German.  By  Rev.  Wm, 
Hunter.     Price,  40  cts. 


A  Short  Poem, 


Containing  a  Descant  on  the  Universal  Plan.     By  John  Peck.    Multura  in 
Parvo.     To  which  is  added 


Univerfalifm  a  very  Ancient  Dodlrine; 

With  some  Account  of  its  Author.     By  Lemuel  Haynes,  A.  M. 
Price,  6  cts. 

The  Calvinistic  Doctrine  of  Predesti- 
nation Examined  and  Refuted; 

Being  the  substance  of  a  series  of  Discourses  delivered  in  St.  George's 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  Philadelphia,  by  Francis  Hodgson,  D.  D. 
Price,  35  cts. 

Prophecy  and  the  Times ; 

Or,  England  and  Armageddon :  an  Application  of  the  Predictions  of 
Daniel  and  St.  John  to  Current  Events.   By  Rev.  Joseph  F.  Berg,  D.  D 

Abaddon  and  Mahanaim ; 

Or,  Daemons  and  Guardian  Angels.     By  Rev.  Joseph  F.  Bero,  D.  D. 


A  liberal  discount  made  to  wholesale  pirchasers, 

5 


COLUMBIA  UNIVERSITY  LIBRAi^lES 

This  book  is  due  on  the  date  indicated  below,  or  at  C^e 
expiration  of  a  definite  period  after  the  date  of  borrowing,  as 
provided  by  the  -nles  of  the  Library  or  by  special  arranee- 


$taiiijar^  ait^  %:m  3mh 


DEPARTI^IENT  OP  USEFUL  KNOWLEDGE. 


THEOLOGICAL. — A  large  and  general  aflbrtment,  embracing 
standard  works  in  Theology,  Ecclefiaftical  Hiftory,  Biblical 
Literature,  Practical  Religion,  &c. ;  together  with  a  fine  col- 
lection of 

PULPIT,  FAMILY,  AND  POCKET  BIBLES, 

In  varied  and  elegant  ftyles  of  binding  and  at  every  price. 

SCIENTIFIC. — Comprifing  works  on  Natural  Science,  Medi- 
cine, Mental  and  Moral  Philofophy,  Political  Economy,  &c. 

HISTORICAL  &  MISCELLANEOUS.— Ancient  and  Mo- 
dern Hiftory,  Geography,  Claffical  Antiquities  and  Literature, 
Travels,  Biographies,  &c. 

SUNDAY  SCHOOL  BOOKS.— A  very  extenfive  ftock  of 
Juvenile  Works,  felefted  with  great  care,  and  with  fpecial 
regard  to  the  wants  of  Sabbath  Schools,  comprifing  the  col- 
lections of  the  Methodift  Book  Concern,  New  York,  and  that 
of  the  American  Sunday  School  Union  and  American  Traft 
$t7ciety.     The  terms  the  fame  as  at  their  depofitories. 

All  orders  p'omptly  attended  to. 


DUE  DATE 


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